Font Types
Fonts can be categorized into several main types, each with unique characteristics and uses:
- Serif: Fonts with small lines or embellishments at the ends of characters. Example: Times New Roman.
- Sans-serif: Clean and modern fonts without embellishments. Example: Arial.
- Monospace: Fonts where each character takes up equal space. Example: Courier New.
- Display: Decorative fonts used for headlines or special purposes. Example: Lobster.
Example:
Serif: Elegant and formal.
Sans-serif: Modern and minimal.
Text Alignment
Alignment controls the positioning of text within a container:
- Left-aligned: Default alignment for most languages.
- Right-aligned: Often used in languages like Arabic.
- Center-aligned: Ideal for titles and minimal text.
- Justified: Text is evenly distributed for clean block paragraphs.
Example:
Left-aligned: This is an example of left-aligned text.
Justified: This is an example of justified text that stretches to fill the width of the container.
Kerning
Kerning adjusts the space between individual characters to improve the visual appearance of text. It is particularly important in headlines and logos.
Example:
Default Kerning: Typography
Adjusted Kerning: T y p o g r a p h y
Leading
Leading, also called line spacing, is the vertical distance between lines of text. Proper leading enhances readability.
Tips:
- Use tighter leading for compact designs.
- Opt for looser leading for large blocks of text.
Tracking
Tracking adjusts the spacing between all characters in a text block. It differs from kerning, which adjusts spacing between specific characters.
Example:
Normal Tracking: Typography
Wide Tracking: T y p o g r a p h y