Typography Basics for Designers

What is Typography?

Typography is the art of arranging text to be readable, clear, and visually appealing. It's one of the most important skills in design — good type makes or breaks a layout.

Key Terms

Term	Meaning
Typeface	Font family (Helvetica)
Serif	Has small "feet" (Times)
Sans-serif	No feet (Arial)
Kerning	Space between letters
Leading	Space between lines

Serif vs Sans-Serif

• Serif — traditional, formal (print, books).
• Sans-serif — modern, clean (screens, web).

Typography Best Practices

• Limit to 2-3 fonts per design.
• Ensure strong contrast for readability.
• Use hierarchy (size/weight) to guide the eye.
• Keep line length 50-75 characters.

Pairing Fonts

Combine a distinctive heading font with a simple, readable body font. Pair a serif with a sans-serif for contrast.

FAQs

How many fonts should I use?

Usually 2 — one for headings, one for body. More in our Graphics Design section.

Where do I find good fonts?

Google Fonts (free) and Adobe Fonts.