Type Groups and how to use them
If we took all the type in the world and sorted it into buckets with “like” characteristics, we would have eight type groups. Study the typography and the descriptions and recommendations on the next two pages before choosing the type faces you will use in your yearbook.
Ai Da Vu Mb Sans Serif
Oldstyle Roman
• Features roughly hewn, rounded serifs • Very little difference between the thin and thick portions of the letters • Easiest type group to read • Excellent to use for stories/copy • Recommended type size for stories: 10-point • Set it no wider than 20 picas • Recommended leading: 12 to14-point for stories 10 to 15 picas wide; 14 to 18-point for stories 16 to 20 picas wide
Modern Roman
Designing the
• Precisely attached serifs • Dramatic difference between the thin and thick portions of the letters • Excellent for theme logos and display type in ads • Symbolic of contemporary fashion and lifestyles • If used for theme logo, consider using it for key words in theme-related designs (i.e., theme page headlines, theme-related secondary coverage headline designs) • Low readability factor when used in captions and copy • Never use for body copy, as parts of the letters disappear when type size is reduced
• No “feet”on letters • It’s the “little black dress/khaki pants” type family. It goes with everything • Excellent for mixing with novelty, serif or script/cursive families • Excellent for headlines, secondary headlines, captions and short copy areas in informational graphics • Low readability factor when used in stories • Choose a family with a variety of weights and widths to give your designs visual variety • If used for captions, recommended type size: 12 or 14-point for caption headlines; 8-point regular or light for caption text and quotes
Square Serif/Slab Serif
• Rectangular-shaped “feet”on letters • Used for strong, no-nonsense messages • Excellent for theme logos headlines, secondary headlines and caption headlines • Low readability factor when used for stories
Book • 10
Type Groups
and how to use them
(continued from previous page)
Scripts
Designing the
Book • 11
Sew Qu Rv Not
• Resemble handwriting • Mostly connected • Ornate; often used for wedding invitations and formal events • Excellent for use in key words in theme logos and theme headlines • Never use for stories, copy or captions • Never use in all caps • Use for theme logos that need a look of formality; use sparingly, like spices in a pie
Cursives
Use one decorative group, if needed, to enhance theme or echo a concept. Never use decorative type in all caps or for body copy, as it is too difficult to read. Decorative type groups include Scripts, Cursives, Text/Olde English and Novelty.
• Resemble handwriting • Mostly unconnected • Use for less formal theme logos and theme page designs that need a more “casual” look • Never use for body copy • Never use in all caps • Use sparingly, like spices in a pie
Text or Olde English
• Looks very formal and communicates a sense of history • Difficult to read • Used for wedding and graduation invitations, some newspaper nameplates, and theme logos that need to reflect an historical feel • Never use for body copy • Never use in all-caps
Novelty
• Helps designers establish a mood, tone or “personality” for the design • Used sparingly for certain theme logos and key words in theme page designs • Never use for body copy • Never use in all-caps • Use for theme headline/logo designs if it truly reflects the concept you’re wanting to convey to your readers