Font Pairing Like a Pro

Before we get to the fun stuff we need to understand some typography basics. So let's talk about what typography is.

What is Typography?

Typography is an art form that has been around for hundreds of years. Words and text are all around us in just about everything we do. For each different type you see, somebody has considered how it will look, feel, and be read by us. Most of the time it is us graphic designers implementing their use, so the better we get at it, the more effective our designs will be.

Good typography is all in the details, as they can make the difference between good design and great design! It's not just about choosing fonts and making copy look good, it also needs to be legible, and readable, in an aesthetically pleasing way.

Typeface or font?

Designers are often unsure of the difference between the two because they are both terms used to represent the same thing. A typeface is a family of fonts (i.e. Helvetica Regular, Helvetica Italic,  Bold, Black, etc.) meaning what you SEE. A font is a specific weight or style within a typeface family (i.e. Helvetica Regular, 

Let’s get this one cleared up straight away! Designers are often unsure of the difference between these two, as they are both well used terms for the same thing. Actually, a typeface is a family of fonts (such as Helvetica Regular, Helvetica Italic, Helvetica Bold, Helvetica Black, etc.) but a font is one weight or style within a typeface family (such as Helvetica Regular, Brandon Groteque Medium, etc).

Typeface Classification

There are many classifications and sub-classifications for typefaces, but the most common ones are serif, sans-serif and script.

Serif: these are more traditional and are distinguished by a short line on the end of each character stem.

Sans-serif: are distinguished by their lack of serif.

Script: you can easily recognize these fonts as they are look handwritten and very fluid.

There is much more to be learned in the art of typography, but we'll save that for another time. You have what you need to start learning about font pairing!

Font Variety

I recommend using no mare than 3 fonts per design project. Too many fonts will confuse your audience and make the design look messy.

Font Pairings

Now that you understand the basics of fonts, let's talk about pairing options: 

• You can pair fonts from different font families or
• You can use different weights to create visual contrast between two fonts in the same family.

Pairing Fonts in Different Font Families

Now mind you, it can get more complicated than the formula I'm about to give you, but for the most part this will help you create some kick ass font pairings!

Choose a font from one of the three categories: serif, sans-serif or scrip. To find a good font to pair it with, just pick a font from any of the other two categories, minus the one you just chose.

Did you think we were done? Not quite yet! Determine the weight of your primary font. If your font is heavy in look, opt for a complimentary, thinner font. This will give it contrast, and as you learned in the last lesson, contrast is a basic element of good design, and will create visual interest for the viewer.

Pairing lighter weight fonts with round typefaces will have a less dramatic feel but can still be appealing.

If your text feels a little confined, or even suffocating, try increasing the spacing across the entire word, this is called tracking.

Paring Fonts in the Same Font Family

Choose a serif or sans-serif font that comes with at least 2 font weights or variations (i.e. regular, bold, thin, etc.). Try different combinations that will provide contrast from heavy, bold weights paired with light, or regular weights.

I recommend staying away from pairing this category of fonts together in different weights.

Finding Fonts

So now that you know how to pair fonts, where do you find fonts you can use? There are tons of font on the internet, some are well designed fonts, and there are others that only belong in the hands of a 7 year old writing a poem about unicorns lol. Design isn't the only thing you should be concerned with, user license should be taken seriously.

As a safe bet you can use Google Fonts, as well as Fontsquirrel.com, both offer quality fonts that are approved for commercial use. Another great place to get your fonts from is Adobe Typekit and if you already have a Creative Cloud subscription access to all these fonts is included in your monthly payment.

Wherever you decide to get your fonts from, make sure that you read the license agreement. If it states "personal use only" keep it to just that. Most will have the option to buy a commercial use license and those can vary greatly in price depending on how many font families are included and who designed them.

Design Prompt #002 - Font Pairing

This week I want you to use your business name, or come up with one that contains two words, and create 3 font pairings, but here's the catch, each one has to be a completely different style! Such as: classic, modern, vintage, formal, grunge, retro, etc. Post it in "The Life of a Graphic Designer" Facebook group and tell us which 3 styles you chose along with an image of your font parings. I'll give you freebie and let you turn in your logo as one of your submissions, unless your logo only has one word. Then you have to come up with a third, like I will be stuck doing hahaha.

If you are a creative boss that wants to learn some basic graphic design skills, join my Facebook group (The Life of a Graphic Designer) to get design tips, tutorials, and advice on everything relating to graphic design and printing as it pertains to your business!

Hope you enjoyed this tutorial, and I'll see you next week with more design information you can easily apply to your business today!