Font Guide For All Occasions
Last Edited by: Kellie Miller
Choosing the right font for a project design or invitation is similar to picking out the right outfit for a party; it needs to fit the occasion. It sets the tone and provides insight into what people can expect. Plus, it is the first thing that everyone notices. So just like time is taken when choosing an outfit for a party, care and consideration needs to be taken when selecting a font for an invitation.
Fonts
There are thousands of fonts and multiple websites to find said fonts, which makes it easy to access any style wanted. However, choosing the right font for an occasion can be difficult. Font selection varies with each project. For example, when preparing a school report or business document, the font should be professional. But when creating a party flier or newsletter, a fun and exciting tone needs to be reflected in the font. And the font decisions don't stop there. Legibility needs to be considered: Just because the font appropriately sets the mood doesn't mean that the wording is clear and easily read. Then there is size, boldness, and spacing to consider. Remember that all of these factors need to be contemplated during the planning stages of a design and then reviewed again before the final product is revealed; taking the time will make the end results worth the effort.
Font Creation
Sometimes, the font you want can't be found even after scouring the Internet. Maybe you like some of the features of one font and some of the features of another. What happens then? This is the time to sit down and create a new font. Many websites and computer programs offer assistance with font creation. Depending on the program used, drawings of the new font can be uploaded and then manipulated, or the font can be created directly in the program.
However, desire and creativity are not the only things required for designing a new font: It's helpful to know a few terms to help define the characteristics of your new font. These include baseline, overhang, and height. The baseline is the line where all of the letters sit. Overhang describes the rounded parts of letters that extend slightly below the baseline. Height is broken down into x-height, cap height, and ascender height. X-height is where the middle line would be drawn and represents the top of lowercase letters. Cap height defines the highest point of lettering, where the capital letters extend to. Ascender height represents the highest point where the tops of lowercase letters reach; the opposite of this is the descender line, the lowest point below the baseline where the bottoms of lowercase letters like "g" and "y" reach. Combine this terminology with creativity and a good computer program and you can get started making your own fonts.
Fonts in Another Language
Some design projects might call for typing letters, words, or even sentences in a foreign language. However, standard fonts found on computers in the United States include only the English alphabet. Additional fonts can be found online and downloaded for use. In fact, fonts for every language are available. Make sure to edit and properly spell words in the language being written: You might want to find someone who's an expert in the language and have them check your work.
Fonts for Kids
When creating a project with fonts that are going to be seen by children, there are lots of factors to consider. Kids are drawn to fonts that are bubbly and visually fun: Even if you're writing something about a party or cartoons, if you write it in Arial or Times New Roman, it will look more serious and less appealing. The color of the font also plays a role in how children view the words: A colorful font is much more appealing to a young child. Size and legibility are also important to think about in a kid-friendly design: Children are still perfecting their reading skills and often have trouble with complicated-looking or small fonts. Although kids are drawn to lively fonts, those kinds of fonts are often less legible than standard fonts. Making sure the type is clear is crucial to the success of the project. Have fun playing around with fonts for kids: Just make sure to consider all of these factors before deciding on that perfect kid-friendly font.