Our Favorite Fonts (and Why They Should Be Your Favorites Too)
Have you ever begun searching for the perfect font and come across a myriad of different options that look so similar you wonder, “Why in the world do we need so many fonts?” If so, don’t worry, because you’re not alone. Many people see different fonts and are overwhelmed by the variety that seemingly have no purpose. However, each font does have a specific purpose, and graphic designers tend to know the most about them. While you probably don’t need to know the intended purpose of every font out there, it may be helpful for you to know some of the basics and favorites. Effectively implementing different fonts in your work can enhance your style and creativity and enhance other people’s comprehension of your work.
The Genres of Fonts
Not unlike a person’s handwriting, different fonts can enhance the aesthetic of a document or graphic in different ways. With the creation of typography, electronic fonts had to be created in order to ensure comprehension in addition to aesthetic. Most fonts are sorted into one of two so-called “genres”: serif or sans-serif. While there are exceptions, the easiest way to distinguish between a serif font and a sans-serif font is to look at the structure of the letters.
Serif fonts have extra lines that extend off the letters — serifs — which are commonly called “feet.” On the other hand, fonts that are sans-serif — literally, “without serifs” — do not have these extra lines. The text in this blog post is a good example of a serif font, while a sans-serif font is used for the headings. Sans-serif fonts tend to look more uniform within each line and between characters. Printed texts tend to have better readability when serif is utilized; however, sans-serif fonts tend to be more readable on digital projects. This is more of a guideline than a rule, however. Graphic designers, through trial and error, establish which fonts work best in different contexts and utilize the most versatile fonts more frequently than others.
Favorite Fonts of Graphic Designers
Below is a list of fonts most frequently used and accredited by graphic designers:
Helvetica: Helvetica is a timeless sans-serif font known for its clean and simple design. It’s widely used in various design applications due to its readability and neutrality. This font is also well-known within the video-editing world.
Garamond: Garamond is a classic serif font that exudes elegance and sophistication. Its delicate serifs and balanced proportions make it a popular choice for body text in print and digital media.
Futura: Futura is a geometric sans-serif font with a modern and futuristic appearance. Its clean lines and geometric shapes make it suitable for a wide range of design applications, including logos and headlines.
Bodoni: Bodoni is a high-contrast serif font with thin, elegant strokes and pronounced serifs. It is often used in fashion, luxury, and editorial design to convey a sense of refinement and sophistication.
Arial: Arial is a versatile sans-serif font that is similar to Helvetica but has slightly wider proportions. It is commonly used in digital and web design due to its readability and compatibility across different devices and platforms.
Univers: Univers is a humanist sans-serif font known for its versatility and legibility. It offers a wide range of weights and styles, making it suitable for various design applications, including branding, signage, and publication design.
Enzo Lux Media Graphic Design
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