Text is the only way you can actually say exactly what you want to potential clients on your website. You pour a lot of thought into these words, but how much thought do you put into what they look like? Here we are going to give you a few tips on the factors that go into web design typography.
Use A Typeface That Works Well In All Sizes
Not everybody will access your website using the exact same screen you are designing it on. This is why it is of upmost importance your typeface choice looks great on everything from the biggest of desktops to the smallest of mobile phone screens. Use typeface that work in all shapes, from tall and skinny to small and chunky.
Keep Your Variety Of Fonts To A Minimum
Too many fonts can lead to a very cluttered looking design, to the point where it can feel like an assault on the senses. Usually, a website can be designed with one typeface, and maybe two. Beyond this however and you’re gone too far. More than two will mean the site looks poorly designed. Factor in that you’re designing something that will be viewed in a variety of sizes and you can see that clarity is a must.
If you do use two typefaces, make sure that they are complimentary to each other in terms of weighting, spacing etc.
Line Length, Size Matters
The length of a line is an important factor when designing a website. Too short or long and readability will be heavily impacted. What is the ideal length of a line? Well according to studies, around sixty characters. This ensures people can follow the line without having to bounce back to the beginning too often, or getting lost in the length of the sentence. When you change over to a mobile device, this ideal line length goes down to 30-40.
Line Spacing For Web Design Typography
Much like line length above, there is an ideal middle ground for spacing between lines (this can also be called leading.) Too much and the content looks disjointed, too close and it can be nearly illegible. Correctly spaced lines can help improve clarity and comprehension of a piece. The general rule is that the leading of a piece of text should about 30% more than the character height. This is that ideal middle ground.
Proper Contrast For Proper Legibility
Choose a colour for your typeface that contrasts with the background. Too light of a colour choice means the type will just sink into whats behind it and be impossible to read at any sort of speed. The best way to know what works is to test it. Test it on laptops, mobiles, desktops and test with a number of people. What may work for you may not work for others.
All Caps Are A No, No
All caps is fine to use when it’s for something like a logo or acronym. However, when used in normal text it kills the reading speed. The ability to scan over the text is limited in comparison to normal text, as it appears like a wall of information.
Standard Fonts Work Best With Web Design Typography
These fonts are standard for a reason, and it is best to use them. Of course you can add custom fonts to your website, but should you really? Web design typography’s main aim is to give the information to the reader in the clearest way possible. You fail in doing this at the first hurdle if your readers are more into the typeface than the information it depicts.
Good Web Design Typography Factors In Colour Blindness
Colour blindness is an issue that mainly effects men, however it is quite prevalent with up to 8% of men suffering from it. What colours do they have the biggest issues with? Red and green (Christmas must be awful.) These colours are best avoided for any visual cues or CTA’s you might use on your website.
Here are the nine basic things you need to factor in for web design typography. If you would like to have professional web design Meath for you, get in touch today.
