Using Typography and Fonts in Graphic Design

Type Families

The different options available within a typeface, such as roman, bold and italic, make up a type family. Times New Roman and Helvetica are examples of type families. These families are extremely useful because a designer can use just one or two within a project, but still have a wide variety of styles to choose from. This helps to achieve a consistent design.

Basic Typography Terminology

Some basic definitions to help you understand how type is described and measured.

Letter Anatomy

There is a standard set of terms to describe the parts of a character. These terms, and the parts of the letter they represent, are often referred to as "letter anatomy" or "typeface anatomy." By breaking down letters into parts, a designer can better understand how type is created and altered and how to use it effectively.

Top Font Picks for Graphic Design

A selection of top font choices for a variety of projects, styles and businesses.

Where to Get Fonts

Where to get fonts for your design projects, including sites with free font downloads.