Typography has a huge part to play when it comes to graphic design. Not only does it help with legibility, but it also helps to promote the tone and message of a graphic. Studies have shown that people are visually drawn to designs that are easy on the eyes, and if something is confusing or difficult to read then this will result in a lower level of engagement overall. 

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Pairing Fonts for Graphic Design

The terms font and typeface are often used interchangeably, but when you work within the graphic design business, you do need to understand the differences between the two. The term typeface refers to a group of fonts. An example here would be Brush Script, Times New Roman and of course, the classic Arial font. Font refers to stylistic choices, so bold or italic. Casino games are a prime example of how different fonts and typefaces can be used to convey a theme. 

Look at the Temple Tumble slot, for example, this uses a bold font with capital letters. It’s got a nice clean look and conveys the theme of the game perfectly. Pairing fonts with graphics is an art form in itself. The font you choose has to set the mood of your message and it should also be very easy to read. If you can master the art of typeface selection then this will increase the aesthetic value of your graphics, allowing you to have a bigger impact on your audience.

Source: Pexels

Using Multiple Fonts within a Graphic

When the time comes for you to pair two fonts, you have two options. You can either pair two different fonts within the same typeface category, such as using an uppercase font for the heading and then the counterpart for the body text. You can also use two completely different typefaces that contrast each other. As a general rule, you need to avoid pairing two different typefaces if they have subtle differences. There has to be a visible contrast if you’re opting for something different. 

Contrast is such an important factor when it comes to graphic design, and this is especially the case where typography is concerned. If you have vivid color contrasts between the font and the background color, then this will improve legibility. Using black text on a white background is a prime example of this. You can also create contrast with typography, by pairing different typefaces with different font weights. Large headings can be used to your advantage if you want to make a statement, and it is a fantastic way for you to draw the eye to a particular part of the graphic. 

There are many tutorials out there that you can use to delve deeper into typography, but if you follow the above golden rules and make sure that you have a good contrast between your background and text, you’re bound to come out on top. Remember, when dealing with similar colors, font size, and variations such as italics and bold can be a good way to create contrast.

About the Author

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Mirko Humbert

Mirko Humbert is the editor-in-chief and main author of Designer Daily and Typography Daily. He is also a graphic designer and the founder of WP Expert.