Typography is perhaps the single most important aspect of any web design. Everything else, from the visuals to the navigation and technical aspects, is all to some degree there to support the message delivered by typography.
People visit websites to access information, but how that information is presented plays a key role in the depth of their engagement. When it comes to that presentation, typography really is crucial.
What is it and why is it so important when it comes to good web design?
What is typography?
Typography is the art of arranging text. It’s all around us. From websites, to newspapers, on the food in our fridge, signs by the road, important safety information, wherever you look, there it is. It’s so common that unless it’s particularly jarring or stylised, we rarely notice it. In most cases the role of typography is to communicate a message while being as unobtrusive as possible.
Websites are designed and developed so that consumers can get the required information about the company and its products or services. People visit websites to read this content, therefore the words written on the website play a very important role. At the same time, how these words are presented is equally important. Hence typography holds an important place while designing a website.
What role can typography play in the overall user experience and what impact does it make?
Basic typography decisions, such as the fonts you choose, their size and layout, can all have an impact on the experience that users have of your website. It helps to create a visual hierarchy across the web page, serving to draw the focus of the user towards different points of importance in the order you’d like them to look.
Because different fonts are associated with different industries and business niches, the choice of font should immediately reassure the user that they have reached the right place. Font choice communicates a range of messages to the user beyond the details of the content.
Typographic tips for web designers
When it comes to choosing the correct typography for websites it’s important to keep in mind the constraints of digital technologies. Whereas a printed page won’t shapeshift and the typeface will remain static, digital typography is, by necessity, more fluid. Typography for websites will need to take into account a range of different factors, such as screen size and resolution.
Responsive design will need to accommodate even slight shifts in dimensions, meaning that typography and typesetting will need to be equally responsive. Screen resolution and pixel density will play a significant part in how legible the text is. High-resolutions screens are now more widely used, but designers need to be aware that they’re far from universal. Brightness and other screen calibrations can also impact on how colours appear on the screen.
Typographic decisions are a key part of good web design practice.
At Dawn Creative, we understand typography and the role it can play in getting your message across.
Call 0161 711 0910 or email wakeup@dawncreative.co.uk to find out more about how we work.
