Typography is the art and technique of arranging text on a page or screen. It can have a huge impact on how your website communicates with your visitors, and how easy it is for them to read and understand your content. In this article, you will learn some basic principles and tips on how to use typography to make your website easier to read.
Fonts are the styles of letters and symbols that you use to display text. They can vary in shape, size, weight, and personality. Choosing the right fonts for your website is crucial, as they can affect the readability, mood, and tone of your message. Some fonts are more suitable for headings, while others are better for body text. Some fonts are more formal, while others are more playful. Some fonts are more modern, while others are more traditional. The key is to find fonts that match your brand identity, audience, and purpose, and that create contrast and harmony on your website.
Typography is the body language of the message. Before one even reads the words, one subconsciously processes the "feeling" of the text. If there is an incongruence between the font and the message, the message is lost. The brain is now focused on the incongruence, not the message.
Font size is the measure of how large or small your text appears on the screen. It can influence how comfortable and enjoyable it is for your visitors to read your content. Font size depends on several factors, such as the type of device, the resolution of the screen, the distance of the reader, and the amount of text. Generally, you want to use a font size that is large enough to be legible, but not so large that it overwhelms the page. A common rule of thumb is to use a font size of 16 pixels for body text, and adjust it according to your font choice and design preferences.
Size does matter. Design for the reader not the writer, author or designer. Some fonts are designed for titling or headings and are not suitable for body text. Three rules of thumb I like: 1. If you are a designer, select 35 typefaces that will last you a lifetime; 2. Only three typefaces per design, per page, poster, billboard, ad, etc.; 3. Thou shall not use Comic Sans.
Line length is the distance between the left and right edges of a block of text. It can affect how easy it is for your visitors to follow and scan your content. Line length depends on the font size, the width of the page, and the margin space. Generally, you want to use a line length that is not too short or too long, as both can cause eye strain and fatigue. A common rule of thumb is to use a line length of 45 to 75 characters for body text, and adjust it according to your font choice and design preferences.
Agree 100%. One thing to add. I often notice that people like to use an automatic "full justify" option in certain programmes and it looks terrible, is very hard to read and shows a lack of pride in one's work and/or respect for the reader.
Line height is the vertical space between two lines of text. It can affect how airy and spacious your content looks and feels. Line height depends on the font size, the font style, and the line length. Generally, you want to use a line height that is not too tight or too loose, as both can reduce readability and comprehension. A common rule of thumb is to use a line height of 1.5 times the font size for body text, and adjust it according to your font choice and design preferences.
This is good for long text. For titles smaller line heights (around 1.1 times the font size) tend to look better in the occasional case that the text extend over one line.
Alignment is the way you position your text relative to the page or screen. It can affect how balanced and organized your content appears. Alignment depends on the type of text, the layout of the page, and the direction of the language. Generally, you have four options for alignment: left, right, center, or justify. Left alignment is the most common and natural for most languages, as it creates a consistent and easy-to-read edge. Right alignment is often used for short texts or labels, as it creates a strong and formal edge. Center alignment is often used for titles or headings, as it creates a symmetrical and focal point. Justify alignment is often used for long texts or columns, as it creates a uniform and neat edge.
Hierarchy is the way you structure and prioritize your text according to its importance and relevance. It can affect how clear and engaging your content is for your visitors. Hierarchy depends on the type of content, the purpose of the page, and the needs of the reader. Generally, you want to use hierarchy to create contrast and emphasis, guide attention and navigation, and convey meaning and order. You can create hierarchy by using different fonts, sizes, colors, weights, styles, and spacing for your text elements, such as headings, subheadings, paragraphs, lists, quotes, and captions.