You might’ve heard the text you utilize in design jobs called both typefaces and fonts and wondered if these words mean the exact same thing. Historically and technically they are different, yet today, they often are interchangeably used. If you are interested in comprehending the difference, a couple of handy definitions may be of assistance:

Typeface is the design; font is how it’s delivered.

Typeface plus style plus size equals font

Font is what’s used; typeface is what’s seen.

This distinction dates back to conventional printmaking that has metal type. The unique design or style of the alphabet we identify by name — say, Bodoni or Times New Roman, might be considered the typeface. As these letters had to be cast at a certain weight or size, it’d be considered a certain font. Therefore, 10-point Bodoni bold and 24-point Bodoni italic might be different fonts, yet the same typeface.

With all that said, that for the majority of graphic design purposes these days, the words are more or less interchangeable; fonts involve the digital representations of typefaces, and we’re able to change either with a simplistic click on the computer screen… Therefore, unless you are speaking with a typography professional who you want to impress with your knowledge, there isn’t any need to be concerned with the differences.

Why will choices of font matter?

Designers have been well-known to compare selecting fonts for design jobs to selecting attire to wear. It is an apt analogy. Consider what your clothing may say about you: based upon what you dress in, folks may wrongly or rightly make assumptions about your personality, your socio-economic background, your style, our age, or the type of impression you need to make. Different situations call for different clothes. You would not wear a swim suit to a job interview; and again, you would not want to dress in a suit and tie during a vacation on the ocean either. There is an aspect of appropriateness to think about.

What your clothing does for you, font choices will serve the exact same purpose within a design. Typography oftentimes offers that first impression people judge the remainder of the design by — therefore, your font choices must be appropriate. Is the font stating “beach vacation” when it ought to be stating “job interview”? Do the aspects of the font “outfit” clash, or will they complement one another? Are they communicating the qualities you need to project? Those considerations are a portion of what’ll make picking fonts such a critical portion of the design process, one which ought to thoughtfully be approached.

Oftentimes, font choices set the tone for the entire design and may influence viewers’ interactions with and feelings toward your design — similar to how if you were to show up at a black-tie celebration in your favorite threadbare sweatpants and t-shirt, folks would judge you based on your appearance. Poor typographic selections distract from your design’s intentions and message.

For more information on choosing the best fonts contact the effective graphic design company of Speedpro London today!