Unravelling fonts…
I remember the first time I looked at a font and thought it odd: I was in my dad’s study and my dad was messing about trying different fonts. Every time he changed the font it was a new and interesting thing and I would give him my opinion on it. Sometimes I would say “Too messy.” Other times I would say “Too odd”. But all those times I never really knew what it was that was different or strange or unique about them. That didn’t occur to me for a few more years yet.
I was 14 when I really started to analyse fonts and think of them as more than just funny squiggles. By 16 I knew about serifs, line spacing and why clarity was important, and by 18 I knew what most fonts looked like and had a good understanding of what makes a good font. Now I am going to share my understanding with you readers here (and by my understanding I mean half my opinion and what I believe as half fact).
Take Courier New for example. A classic case of a font which is ideal for just reading, but isn’t exactly the most elegant font
To start with, a font must be readable. This has to be the case or it’s not going to be functional, and that is what a font is for after all. This is where it gets tricky: obviously there are degrees of readability and everyone has their own idea of this, so you can’t really win.
Now we move onto how well the font flows. This is different to readability. For example, some very clear, ultra-readable fonts don’t flow very well and have parts to them which almost make me want to cry. Take Courier New for example. A classic case of a font which is ideal for just reading, but isn’t exactly the most elegant font in modern existence.
Next up it’s time to look at the line spacing. Is there masses of white? This is no good. Or, conversely, is the text all squished together in a way that makes you wonder what the inventor of the font was thinking? In either case something is wrong, and here is why.
Line spacing is crucial: it’s vital for getting the message across, and essential if you want the font to remain invisible and the words to shine through. It doesn’t matter if you’re spelling My metal boxes or Can we go out to a movie? Font is one of the most critical obstacles out there on the front line between communication and understanding.
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