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Typeface
Refers to a family of fonts (e.g., Helvetica, Times New Roman)
Example: Helvetica Bold and Helvetica Italic are different fonts within the Helvetica typeface.
Font
A specific style and weight of a typeface (e.g., Helvetica Bold, 12 pt)
Serif vs. Sans Serif
Serif - Fonts with small decorative lines (serifs) at the ends of characters (e.g., Times New Roman)
Sans Serif - Fonts without serifs, offering a cleaner and more modern look (e.g., Arial)
Weight
Refers to the thickness of a font, such as Thin, Light, Regular, Bold, or Extra Bold.
Kerning
The space between two specific characters. Adjusting kerning can help improve readability or achieve a desired look.
Tracking
The uniform spacing between all characters in a line or block of text
Leading (Line Spacing)
The vertical space between lines of text. Leading is typically measured from baseline to baseline
Baseline
The invisible line where characters sit. Some fonts have descenders (like "y" or "g") that extend below this line.
Cap Height and X-Height
Cap Height - The height of capital letters in a typeface.
X-Height - The height of lowercase letters, specifically "x," excluding ascenders and descenders.
Ligatures
Special character combinations that replace awkward letter pairings (e.g., “fi” or “fl”) for aesthetic purposes.
Tips For Working With Fonts
Tips For Working With Fonts
Choose the Right Typeface - Use Serif fonts for formal or traditional designs and Sans Serif for modern or minimalist projects.
Limit Font Use - Stick to 2-3 typefaces per design to maintain visual harmony.
Contrast is Key - Pair fonts with contrasting weights, sizes, or styles to create hierarchy.
Save Font Settings - In InDesign and Illustrator, save Character Styles for reusable formatting.
Preview Fonts - Use Adobe Fonts (formerly Typekit) to browse and activate fonts directly in Adobe Creative Cloud.
Avoid Rasterizing Text - Keep text editable unless necessary for effects.
Last updated November 2024 by Abigail Green
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