Typography Guide
Master typography fundamentals and design principles
Typography Fundamentals
What is Typography?
Typography is the art and technique of arranging type to make written language legible, readable, and appealing when displayed. It encompasses font selection, point size, line length, line spacing, and letter spacing.
- Font selection and pairing
- Size and spacing relationships
- Layout and composition
- Visual hierarchy and readability
Font Selection Principles
Readability First
Choose fonts that prioritize readability and legibility.
- Clear character distinction
- Appropriate x-height
- Good letter spacing
- Suitable for intended use
Context and Purpose
Select fonts that match your content and audience.
- Consider content type
- Match brand personality
- Target audience preferences
- Medium requirements
Font Pairing Strategies
Contrast Principle
Pair fonts with sufficient contrast for visual interest.
Serif + Sans-serif
- Classic combination
- Good for print and web
- Clear hierarchy
- Professional appearance
Weight Contrast
- Bold headlines
- Regular body text
- Light accents
- Clear visual separation
Successful Pairing Examples
Popular combinations:
- Georgia + Arial (Web)
- Times New Roman + Helvetica (Print)
- Roboto + Open Sans (Modern)
- Playfair Display + Source Sans Pro (Elegant)
Layout and Spacing
Line Length and Spacing
Optimize line length and spacing for readability.
- 45-75 characters per line
- 1.4-1.6 line height
- Adequate paragraph spacing
- Consistent margins
Alignment and Grid
Use alignment and grid systems for structure.
- Left alignment for body text
- Center for headlines
- Grid-based layouts
- Consistent spacing
Visual Hierarchy
Size Hierarchy
Create clear size relationships between text elements.
Size Scale
- H1: 2.5-3x body text
- H2: 2x body text
- H3: 1.5x body text
- Body: 16px base
Weight Hierarchy
- Bold for headlines
- Medium for subheadings
- Regular for body text
- Light for captions
Hierarchy Best Practices
Limit Hierarchy Levels
Use 3-4 levels maximum for clarity
Consistent Application
Apply hierarchy consistently throughout
Test Readability
Ensure all text is easily readable
Responsive Typography
Mobile Considerations
Adapt typography for mobile devices.
- Larger touch targets
- Simplified hierarchy
- Increased line spacing
- Optimized font sizes
Fluid Typography
Create responsive font sizes.
- CSS clamp() function
- Viewport units
- Minimum/maximum sizes
- Smooth scaling
Master Typography
Apply these typography principles to create beautiful, readable, and effective designs that communicate clearly with your audience.