Choosing the right font for your project can be tricky. Every designer – amateur or professional – should always be aware of this. One false choice can ruin your design. Still, it is worth the risk. If you make the right decisions, the result will be so satisfying. That is why you have to know well how to choose a font.
It does not matter if you are into what is trending, and it is not making a difference if you love experimenting with things without caring too much about what is in. Either way, the risk is still there – and worth it. After all, we can always learn from our mistakes.
So, What Are The Tips?
So, these are the best tips on choosing a font – in easy, simple steps. There are also some examples below after each tip.
Determine Your Purpose In Choosing Fonts.
Kasper Pyndt, a font designer from Approximate Type, suggested this. Once you know what you want, it gets easier to choose fonts. It is also not about you but about what your clients may want. For example, the organic and expressive typeface is perfect for something artistic, like music posters.
The examples:
The gaming Font from JTS (Just The Skills) is already obvious from the name itself. Most designers choose this typeface as part of their online gaming design. The correct font will enhance the game’s atmosphere from the outline, shape, and size. For example, Halloween-themed online games use darker font shades with outlines that may remind you of skeletons or drops of blood.
Another namesake example is Horror Font. If your purpose in choosing this font is to give a scary vibe to horror fans out there, then you make a great choice. Since you need to pay attention to your target audience, ensure the options are age-appropriate. For example, Monstarize is perfect for children’s Halloween parties, while Gruesome – Horror Scary Font is more suitable for adult viewers.
Identify The Core Elements of Your Project.
Johannes Breyer, ABC Dinamo’s font designer, came up with this tip. Finding the soul of a project helps you to choose the right font. Find out what font works, giving a lasting impression and speaking “the language of the project”.
The example:
Kids Font is probably the hardest to figure out in identifying your project’s core elements. Trying too hard, and the result will not please them. Giving a bare minimum, and they may not be interested.
It is best to talk to children to avoid both possibilities. Get to know them and find out what interests them. It is also where you will have to check out what is trending. After all, kids’ interests in things may change from time to time. While they still like what is in them, they go for it before they soon grow out of it.
Another thing to consider is age-appropriacy. Younger children (usually under ten) might still love cute fonts like Bowreghul and Sharkbit – Cartoon Font. Meanwhile, the older ones (usually above ten – or pre-teens) might prefer something simpler and cooler like Fifth Grader – All Caps Funny Doodle Font and Malibu – Handwriting YouTube Font.
Clear Messaging Needs To Be Established.
Morganne Borowczyk, artist and typeface designer, suggested that designers choose fonts to communicate what they want to say to the readers. That is why you must establish the message you want to convey. It will help you find the right typeface to speak visually to your viewers.
Meanwhile, Johannes also suggested that the font to choose should engage people. Designers must have a good eye for predicting the future of the brand, business, or product they are working on. They are in charge of establishing how it will be perceived in the future.
The example:
Sometimes you need to play it a little bit low. In some cases, less is more. Since the main focus is to have your clear messages established, you do not need to go all-out with the creative design.
Lupines – Girly Handwriting Font – is a simple typeface to consider. From the smooth, slim, and soft cursive handwriting style, you can already tell that the brand image is timeless and easier to remember. You do not need so much on the background. Find soft, light colors so people can still see the text and the product on display.
Other YouTube fonts are also something to consider. See? Your options are still plenty. Since YouTube is all about quick bites of information, you do not want unreadable titles and captions. Some nice examples include Shockwave – Grafitti Font and Bronson – Western Sans Serif Font.
Maintain The Balance Between Details with What Is Legible.
Two factors need to be considered on how to choose a font. The first one is detailed. The second is what is legible. The thing is, it is good to choose a nice font for your project. Creativity flair does not do wonders if people cannot read it.
According to Morganne, legibility is also important. Balancing both equally will result in a win-win solution: something that looks good but which people can also read. After all, the idea is still to get your message across.
The example:
Details and legibility should go hand-in-hand to gain these two outcomes: having an artistic-looking typeface and making it readable. Hendrix Groove – Retro Music Font is just one great example of this. However, the type letters look rather stocky, and the linings in the typeface help to separate the distinction between letters.
Since the typography looks rather extraordinary, then you do not need so much on the background. Otherwise, the whole design will look too crowded and distract the eye.
Besides Hendrix Groove – Retro Music Font, there are other options for Groovy Fonts. The Tide – Modern Font Block might remind you of film titles about stone-age living. (Remember “The Flintstones”?) Although some letters are much bigger than others for emphasis, the whole typography is still very much readable.
Consider The History of Your Font Options.
Researching the history of the fonts also helps you to get a better understanding of the concept of each font. Once you find the typeface that matches the concept of your product, it gets easier to work on it.
For example, you are working on a project related to art history. The model is Euro-architecture. The idea is to find fonts that fit the whole concept. You do not just find any fonts for that only because you like the fonts. Everything has to be as well-matched as possible.
The example:
There are plenty of options online, so the examples depend on what you want your design to look like. Another example would be the Japanese font. It is the best option if you are promoting a new Japanese restaurant or an anime series on a streaming channel.
Japanese font may be the most popular here among Asian Fonts. You can still have other fonts for other purposes, though. For example, you would like to promote a new Thai film festival. Even without mentioning the word ‘Thai,’ the Phataya – Movie Display Font you choose speaks loud enough.
Be Creative To Find New Ideas.
This strategy is also known as “thinking outside the box.” It has been renewed by another phrase that says, “Think like there is no box at all.”
For example, you would like to make your letters look exaggerated or distorted. You can even manipulate the typeface to look slightly faded. In the name of creativity, it is okay. You can even challenge yourself using fonts other designers may deem unattractive.
The only limit you need to remember is not to overdo it. Yes, it is good to think outside the box. Sometimes, we also need to remind ourselves the box is there for a reason in the first place.
The example:
Funny Font is perfect for you who would like to break the rules. If you want to enlarge one or some letters just for emphasis, then go for it. That is also possible if you want to make the letters look bloated like balloons about to pop. Still, ensure that people can still read what you put on your design.
Another example is Scary Font. Since Halloween is just waiting by the door, you can use some fonts like Spookybones or The Flesh. Spookybones remind you of skinny bones joined together to create letters. Meanwhile, The Flesh reminds you of … well, the flesh. These examples are also still readable.
Do Not Break Design Rules Just For The Sake of Doing It.
Some designers are already experienced enough to dare themselves this way. They break the rules to create something unique. It is fine as long as their intention is clear.
However, doing this without fully understanding the importance of basic guidelines in typography design is another story. Make sure you know and practice what you have preached first. Once you have enough experience, you are welcome to try the next step.
Another thing to note down is to understand why you feel the need to break the rules. For example, you would like to do a mashup between fonts because you cannot find any fonts that will match your project’s concept.
The example:
Whichever font you choose, make sure that you know your reasons. It is okay to sway a little to create a little ‘artistic flair.’ Why not if that is in line with the project design concept? After all, you still have to answer your clients once the work is done.
For example, you do not want to have the type letters in a straight line. You prefer having them slightly crooked because you want to give the impression of someone exclaiming about the food taste. Trampoline Instagram – Sans Serif Font is one great option.
Another example is to have your type letters look uneven, like Tintco – Sport Grafitti Font. If your reason is to make the font look dynamic, represent some sports product, advertise a sports show, or promote a hotshot athlete, then it is all good.
Consider The Classics.
“Sometimes, old is still gold.” If you have ever heard this phrase, then believe it. Just because you consider something outdated does not mean it is no longer relevant. That is the same thing in terms of choosing a font.
The list of classic fonts is still relevant to this day. You can name Rockwell, Futura, Helvetica, and many more. According to Kasper, these timeless options are still favorites of many designers today. Never be afraid of using them.
The example:
Some classic stuff does get old, but that does not apply to all of them. Choose some oldies wisely, so you will not get stuck in such a cliche. There are still plenty of Classic Fonts to choose from. If you are into something elegant and fashionable-looking, choose something like Sophia – Modern Fashion Font.
If you prefer something more vintage, Clarkson – Vintage Retro Font, The Django – Vintage Font, or Cedric – Vintage Fashion Font could be something for you. For regular retro fonts, give Badgeworthy a try. For something artistic, take a look at Deconico.
Still, make sure your option is right for your project. The more timeless the look, the more lasting your project will appear.
Take Time For Learning About Licensing.
It may feel like a hassle to all designers. Unfortunately, if you understand the importance of copyright issues or infringements, please take this matter seriously. Imagine that you create something for the world to see. Then, out of the blue, some other people start using your design without your permission or official consent.
It is even worse if they do not put your name in the credit. They get the money, and you get nothing. In the world of art, creativity is important – but so is integrity. Always ask for the original font creator’s permission if they are still around. Of course, unless they say it is okay if you use their design for free.
The example:
The examples are plenty, but you can always find out. For example, websites like Just The Skills always provide information on how to purchase the fonts on display. If you find other websites that seem to offer their fonts for free, check out the names of the creators. If you can contact them, the least you can do is ask for their permission.
Some designers online may be generous enough to let you choose their typeface for free. However, to be on the safe side, you had better still ask them for their permission – especially if they have not clarified their consent. It is not about being hassled but being respectful toward other designers.
Do Not Let What Is Trending Control You.
It is nice when you get to follow the trends and stay up-to-date. People will easily notice your work, especially when they are into what is trending too.
The problem? You may slowly lose what makes your creation unique and stand out. Worst of all, if you are not the only designer following the trends or font fads, you will only drown yourself in anonymity. Your work will look just like everybody else’s.
Besides, bear in mind that what is trending may not be timeless. Your work will not feel relevant in a year or perhaps less.
The example:
Yes, once again, the options are plenty that they seem endless. This 2022, some of the options include Harmond Free Display Typeface, Wild Word, Resist Sans Neo-Grotesque Font, Harmony – Free Serif Typeface, and many more. Some good old classics, like Retro Fonts, are still trending, and you can call them timeless.
It is okay to use what is trending as long as you are not overcome by it. If the combo fits, why not use what is trending with what is not? If the shapes and sizes look good together, then there is no harm in doing so.
The Conclusion:
It is not hard when choosing a font based on these ideas. Besides, here is the thing:
That is why it is okay to combine what you know, what you like, and what is trending. It is okay to break the rules once in a while. However, do not forget to stick to the basics when you need to. In other words, the idea is to get creative and be realistic simultaneously. You can still provide the best for your clients while staying true to yourself. Most importantly, your artwork is safe from any lawsuit.
So, according to you, how to choose a font for your projects?