Typography and layout: a few tips

Typography is a true art form that should not be overlooked when writing your articles, CVs, newsletters, and so on.

To keep visitors on your site, it sometimes only takes choosing the right fonts with the right layout.

Each layout and typographic choice will differ depending on the context and the subject you are writing about.

Don't use too many different fonts

Avoid using too many different fonts. The best approach is to use a maximum of two complementary ones — one for the body text and one for the headings. This will make the document more readable and easier to digest. Choose two contrasting fonts to create an interesting effect: serif and sans-serif, for example, or a light and a heavier weight.

Pay attention to colour

Be careful with the contrasts you use — light grey text on an even lighter grey background is rarely a good idea.

At the extreme, watch out for colour combinations that are simply unreadable. Red on blue is an eyesore!

Don't use lines that are too long

Lines that are too long make it difficult for the eye to return to the start of the next line and therefore require more concentration. When a sentence drags on, it's very easy to lose focus. To keep your reader engaged: cut your sentences short.

Line spacing also affects readability. Increasing it slightly can improve the reading comfort of your visitors.

When writing, simply ask yourself: Does this text make me want to read it all the way to the end?

Add visual emphasis

Still with the aim of enticing readers, don't hesitate to highlight certain parts of your text. Draw the reader's eye to the important elements of your piece by making them bold, italic, or underlined as needed.

Be careful not to combine too many different methods — you will need to make choices about how you use them throughout the text.

Typefaces to avoid

Some fonts have become very popular over time, to the point of becoming irritating (Comic Sans MS, for instance).

The same is sometimes true of software default fonts (such as Arial or Times New Roman). Take the time to find slightly more original alternatives — there are thousands of fonts available on the web, some free to download.

Our design team's view

We asked our designers which typefaces they would ban outright, and here is their answer:

• Jokerman – 1995: "Its humorous and rather poorly drawn style makes it completely unusable for businesses."
• Souvenir: "Its retro feel makes it difficult to use for anything corporate."
• Cooper Black: "Very disco-era — it was hugely popular in the 1970s. It's worth considering how to use it, but it feels too comic and rounded for my taste."
• Brush Script: "It's a bit too fanciful and difficult to showcase effectively."

Writing an article or a newsletter for your business means paying attention to content, of course, but also to form. It is your layout that will keep visitors reading, not just your content — so take care of it!

Which typefaces would you ban?

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

UGC, the future of marketing: how user-generated content can revolutionise your marketing strategy

by Yumea, 7 March 2023

UGC (User Generated Content) is changing the game in the world of marketing. With the rise of social networks and content-sharing platforms, consumers have become content producers in their own right... READ MORE

Category: News , Becoming visible online , Social media

Comments: 0

How to use Instagram to reach your audience and drive traffic to your site?

by Yumea, 1 February 2023

Social media has become an indispensable tool for businesses looking to reach their target audience and drive traffic to their website. With more than 3.8 billion active users... READ MORE

Category: Becoming visible online , Instagram , Social media

Comments: 0

7 artificial intelligence (AI) tools to know in 2023

by Yumea, 12 January 2023

In 2023, there are many sites that use artificial intelligence (AI) to help users write content and generate images. If you are looking for tools to help you write... READ MORE

Category: News

Comments: 0