Typography is one of the most important aspects of design, as it affects readability, aesthetics, and communication. However, many designers struggle to master the fundamentals of typography, such as choosing the right fonts, sizes, spacing, alignment, and hierarchy. As a design leader, you can help your team improve their typography skills by following these six tips.
One of the best ways to mentor your team is to share your own sources of inspiration and learning. Whether it's a book, a blog, a podcast, or a course, you can recommend some resources that you find useful and relevant for typography. You can also create a shared library or a playlist where your team can access and explore these resources at their own pace.
Look at historical typographical examples. Styles and fads that come and go in advertising. Why are certain fonts popular and when do they go out of favour? What incidents or trends in pop culture affected typography? Have a look at old font catalogues and those used for various industries. Studying the history helps inform the present. Now pull up dozens of contemporary examples. Compare and contrast newer styles to older styles so that if you're using a particular family of typefaces it can inform the viewer; It can tell a story. And don't be afraid, once you understand the rules, to push them a bit. Don't bore the viewer. Look at sign-painting and old showcards for examples of bouncing fonts. There is a wide range that can be applied.
Unlocking your team's typography potential involves guiding them with curated resources: - Lead by Example: Showcase your go-to typography sources, inspiring confidence and setting a standard. - Curate a Learning Hub: Establish a shared platform – a library or playlist – for easy access to diverse typography materials. - Diverse Mediums: Recommend a mix of books, blogs, podcasts, and courses to cater to varied learning preferences. Empower your team with a well-rounded toolkit, fostering continuous growth.
Another way to mentor your team is to give them constructive feedback on their typography choices. You can use a framework such as the CRIT method (context, reaction, interpretation, and technique) to structure your feedback and make it clear, specific, and actionable. You can also ask your team to explain their rationale behind their typography decisions and suggest alternatives or improvements.
Constructive feedback is crucial for mentoring your team effectively. Consider using the CRIT method—context, reaction, interpretation, and technique—to structure your feedback. This ensures clarity and specificity in your guidance. Encourage your team to articulate the rationale behind their typography choices, fostering a collaborative learning environment. Suggest alternatives or improvements to enhance their design skills. This approach promotes growth and refinement in their decision-making process.
A third way to mentor your team is to organize workshops or challenges that focus on typography skills. You can design exercises that cover different aspects of typography, such as font pairing, kerning, contrast, or hierarchy. You can also use real-world examples or case studies to illustrate good and bad typography practices. You can then invite your team to share their work and discuss their learnings.
A fourth way to mentor your team is to encourage them to experiment and explore with typography. You can challenge them to try new fonts, styles, or formats that they are not familiar with. You can also encourage them to use tools such as Google Fonts , Adobe Fonts , or Fontjoy to discover and compare different fonts. You can also ask them to collect and analyze examples of typography that they like or dislike.
A fifth way to mentor your team is to provide them with recognition and support for their typography efforts. You can celebrate their achievements and progress, such as completing a course, solving a challenge, or creating a great design. You can also acknowledge their challenges and difficulties, such as finding the right font, balancing the layout, or meeting the requirements. You can also offer them guidance and resources to help them overcome their challenges.
A sixth way to mentor your team is to lead by example and demonstrate your own typography skills. You can show them how you approach typography in your own projects, such as how you select fonts, adjust spacing, create hierarchy, or use grids. You can also share your own tips and tricks, such as how you test typography on different devices, how you use color and contrast, or how you apply typography principles and rules.