Monday, February 7, 2011

Good design, part 3? Fonts in a wall-of-text.

Courtesy of some comments in previous posts, I figured that it wouldn't be right for me to throw words at you without a few pictures to support them. Most text on this page displays (by default) as a serif-heavy typeface. To describe it in a more common fashion, it looks pointy. Sans-serif fonts are the ones that look smoother and cleaner. A great example of sans-serif in design is Apple's branding, viewable here. There's even a documentary about Helvetica, which talks a lot about some of the ideas in design.

I would assume that there are studies that delve into the difference of message impact based on font, but that's not entirely my realm of interest or expertise- I think that things should be clean, consistent, and easily-readable if (and only if) you're trying to get nothing but information across.

There's plenty to be said for sans-serif. It's clean, easily readable, and probably displays better on screens. I'm personally not that fond of typefaces that are otherwise quite boring.

Serif fonts, on the other hand, are my favorite. I find the little accents make it much easier to read and more refined- in the sense that I find a fine wine more refined than a minimalist would find a glass of distilled water.

Here, have an example: Two sentences in two different typefaces.

It is important to choose typefaces with care and attention to detail.


It is important to choose typefaces with care and attention to detail.


The former is slightly larger than the latter.


For what it's worth, most print sources tend to be created with serif fonts, and most online or electronic print tends to be written up with sans-serif typefaces.


I could elaborate for ages on this subject, but I will instead pose a question and save more for later: Do you find serifs agreeable in print? What impact do you think that presentation has upon the audience?

( My previous posts on design are here and here. )

10 comments:

  1. That comparison example shows how much better the serif font's are

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  2. I think the serif fonts are a touch better in general due to the fact they are easily readable on a multitude of background types from plain to designed. Just my quick thought.

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  3. Cool tip bro, thanks!

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  4. I have no objection toward serifs. I've never thought about what kind of impact it has, though...

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  5. I prefer sans-serif tbh.

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  6. The main difference I noticed between the two is the Sans Serif looks bigger in comparison. I'm not sure if you actually used a larger size for it, or if it's just a trick of the eye. Coming from someone with a background in graphic design, I do indeed like them both for pure information passing, but tend to go more exotic in designs where the text is part of the whole.

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  7. i agree. a nice clear font is very important

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  8. Going hand in hand with my typography class, haha!

    You certainly know your stuff. :P

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  9. I definitely prefer serif fonts in electronic / internet type stuff...I don't know it just seems cleaner and less cluttered, and easier to read. In a book or newspaper, or other print media, however, I prefer a serif font...I don't know why.

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  10. Definitally has different effect, for a common text, sans serif is unprofessional in my opinon.

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