Font Geek

Jen finds my font obsession amusing. Her latest laugh was when we were rewatching Buffy and I started ranting about the very trite type style (sure, now it is) used in the opening credits (Herculanum  or some variation thereof).

So look, there's some wicked important stuff to consider here. SERIOUSLY!

Point Size

Font sizes are measured in points; 1 point (abbreviated pt) is equal to 1/72 of an inch. The point size refers to the height of a character. Thus, a 12-pt font is 1/6 inch in height. (source)

Ledding (originally – sometimes still – spelled ‘leading’)

the insertion of extra space between lines of type. On old printing presses, this was originally done by inserting strips of lead between rows of type cast in lead. (source)

Kerning

Is the spacing between individual letters or characters… kerning is focused on how type looks — creating readable text that’s visually pleasing. (source)

Why do I bring this up today? I just finished A. Lee Martinez’s collection of short stories. Unlike most commercially published paperbacks, this one (self published) was in a larger font size (12 versus standard – 8 to 11). The ledding was generous – def more than typical.

Ya know how brill this is, especially for an old broad with fading eye strength who’s reading at night with wonky lighting? It’s awesome!

Where else does the ‘geek’ aspect come in? Everywhere. There was a sign on a nail salon nearby. They were probably trying for elegance. What they got was unreadable from a car zooming by at 40 MPH. Too elaborately curly. Too pale.

Read the room (in this case, the street, the environment). Go with a simple, easily read font. Save the fancy fonts for business card and flier headings – stuff you’re gonna read when you’re not driving.

The same goes for other types of signage. Are the majority of viewers walking or driving by? From what distance will this be read? If it’s a banner, make the copy easily read and at least one inch (72 pt.) tall for every 10 feet of viewing distance. If it’s a pamphlet? 11 pt. is cool for body copy, depending on your audience.

Business cards will be read up close and personal-like. You can go down to 8pt. for addresses and phone if you need to. Puh-leeze though, make it a font that’s easily read.

A few examples of good, straight up, comprehensible fonts

Sans Serif:
Arial
Futura
Helvetica Neue
Robot
Verdana

Serif:
Baskerville
Bodoni
Calendas Plus
Marion
Minion Pro

If you want to get all fancy-schmancy for a header that’ll be read close up, there are plenty to choose from at the free font sites.