What are the benefits and challenges of using variable fonts in communication design?

1 What are variable fonts?

Variable fonts are fonts that have one or more axes of variation, such as weight, width, slant, or optical size. This means that instead of having multiple font files for each style, you can have one font file that can generate any style within the range of the axes. For example, a variable font with a weight axis can produce any weight from thin to black, and a variable font with a width axis can produce any width from condensed to expanded.

2 Why use variable fonts?

Variable fonts offer a range of advantages for communication design, such as improved efficiency, flexibility, and creativity. They reduce the file size and loading time of web pages and applications, as you only need one font file instead of multiple ones. This also saves storage space and bandwidth. Additionally, variable fonts allow you to adjust the font style to suit different devices, screen sizes, resolutions, and orientations. You can even use media queries, user preferences, or environmental data to dynamically change the font style according to the context. Furthermore, variable fonts enable you to create custom and expressive typography by manipulating the font shape, contrast, and movement. You can even animate the font transitions and interactions or explore new design possibilities with custom axes.

3 What are the challenges?

Variable fonts can bring some challenges for communication design, such as compatibility issues not supported by all browsers, platforms, and applications. You may need to provide fallback fonts or use polyfills to ensure cross-browser compatibility, as well as consider the license and format of the variable fonts you use. Additionally, variable fonts may affect the accessibility and readability of your text, particularly for people with visual impairments or dyslexia. You should consider the contrast, legibility, and hierarchy of your typography, and avoid using extreme or inconsistent styles. Moreover, variable fonts may also affect the readability of your text, requiring you to consider typographic principles and best practices like font size, line length, line height, alignment, and spacing. It is important to balance the aesthetic and functional aspects of your typography when using variable fonts.

4 How to use variable fonts?

In order to use variable fonts in communication design, you must first choose a font that is suitable for your purpose, audience, and message. Sources such as Google Fonts, Adobe Fonts, and independent foundries offer variable fonts. Axis-Praxis or Wakamai Fondue can be used to preview and test variable fonts. Additionally, CSS properties like font-variation-settings or font-optical-sizing can be used to control the axes and values of the variable font. Responsive typography can be achieved through the use of CSS functions like calc or minmax. To ensure your typography is optimized, you can use tools like Font Inspector or Variable Fonts Tester to inspect and debug your variable font implementation. Font Squirrel or Transfonter can also be used to optimize and convert your variable font files.