Quantum CMG | creative media group

With the rise of popularity with sites like dafont.com and font distribution websites, one can’t help to feel bombarded with fonts. One has to wonder, what really are fonts, what is their purpose, and how does one use them most effectively? We’re going to discover just that.

For us to get up to speed on some good font etiquette, let’s take a quick glance at typography as a whole.

Originally, typography traces its roots before the printing press to the concept of die-cast emblems. Moving forward to plates and later to movable type, many printers carved their own movable type to print with.

From 1890 to the late 1980’s, typography as a whole grew into what it is today, not without growing pains, to say the least. Where this lands us in two places: successful type foundries / manufacturers and commercial typefaces with trademark-able capabilities, increasing the level of commercial branding, corporate design, and packaged goods overall.

Next, I should note the difference between fonts and typefaces. The word font and typeface are similar, but do not mean the same. A font refers to a file that contains all the characters. Font foundries and studios sell fonts to designers for use. We use fonts (the files), which are then identified by name in programs such as Microsoft Word.??A typeface refers to the actual display of style and visual characteristics that name and identify a font. Arial, Verdana, and Trebuchet are all typefaces, when identified in use. The font itself is the file that it used that contains the corresponding letters.

Next, to understand the importance of fonts, we need to know how to best use them.

While Microsoft Word is jam packed with so many fonts, you really don’t need them. Microsoft Word is a “word processor,” it ultimately is meant for typing, documents, and publishing materials. Instead, fonts like ransom, Bradley hand, and Comic Sans have dumbed down the application into a poor form of graphic design. This isn’t where we use fonts.

Fonts are best employed in design programs, such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, or InDesign – specifically for the use of creating layouts, type, and design-related materials – things that are meant to be designed, looked at, and artistically  interpreted. (that memo last week? No.)

Our next article will focus on best font practices, in regards to use and management. Stay tuned.