Typography Basics

From the book: Basics of Design: Layout and typography for Beginners

by Lisa Graham 2002


Basic typeface combinations:

* Use sans serif type in headlines and subheads, serif in body copy ( serifs aid in readability)
* Use no more than two type combinations per page.
* Use only one decorative or novelty typeface per page
* Avoid using two sans serif or two serifs together on a page because they conflict
* Emphasize headlines, titles, and subheads more than body copy.
* start your experiments with classic typfaces first.


Classic Serif typefaces: Garamond, Goudy, Caslon, Bodini, and Baskerville

Classic Sans serif Typefaces: Gill Sans, Futura and Franklin Gothic


Lisa Lists 5 typefaces she must have on a deserted island and why:

* Garamond: classy , dignified and easy on the eyes
* Gills sans: It goes with every serif font she has seen
* Bodini: Very readable, Flexible
* Officina Sans: Modern, readable, works with Garamond, Bodini, and Officina Serif
* Officina Serif: Modern Readable serif, works with Gill Sans and Officina sans