Member-only story
Typography: 9 steps to choose the right font for your design
There are over half a million fonts in the world — how to pick the right one.
Have you ever found yourself dreamily scrolling through an endless list of fonts, unsure which to choose?
Before you go with the ‘universal’ Arial or the ever-popular Helvetica, check out the guide below.
Chances are, it will help you find the perfect match.
Step 1: Define the purpose of your design.
Do you need to inform, entertain, or persuade?
Understand the content: Is it formal or informal? Long-form or bite-sized?
Determine the emotion you want to evoke: Trust? Excitement? Nostalgia?
Every piece of content serves a specific goal. Knowing this goal will form your typeface choice.
For instance, an educational website will opt for clean, easy-to-read typefaces like Arial or Calibri to convey information without distraction.
A wedding site could use elegant script typefaces such as Pacifico or Great Vibes to evoke a sense of celebration.
Step 2: Consider the design context
As previously discussed, the platform dictates certain typeface choices. A typeface perfect for a mobile app might not work for an AR interface.
A billboard advertisement requires bold, large fonts that are easily readable from a distance.
A smartwatch interface might ask for minimalistic, clear typefaces like Roboto or Helvetica to ensure legibility on a tiny screen.
Be sure to:
- Understand where your design will live.
- Know your audience and their device preferences.
