Guide for designing better

Typography is the art and technique of arranging type to make written language legible, readable, and appealing when displayed. The arrangement of type involves selecting typefaces, point sizes, line lengths, line-spacing (leading), and letter-spacing (tracking), and adjusting the space between pairs of letters (kerning). The term typography is also applied to the style, arrangement, and appearance of the letters, numbers, and symbols created by the process.

The Importance of Typography

Good typography establishes a visual hierarchy and provides a graphic balance to the website. It guides the user's eye and helps them to navigate the site. It also sets the tone of the website and can affect the user's mood. Bad typography can make a website difficult to read and can even drive users away.

Key Elements

• Typeface: A set of characters of the same design.
• Font: A specific size and style of a typeface.
• Line Length: The distance between the left and right margins of a block of text.
• Leading: The vertical space between lines of text.
• Kerning: The space between individual characters.

By understanding and applying these basic principles, you can significantly improve the readability and aesthetics of your designs. Remember, typography is not just about choosing a pretty font; it's about communication.