Common Font Usage Mistakes - How to Improve Typography in Your Designs

While many people may not actively consider the appeal of typography in the design of digital products, almost everyone can immediately notice when something goes wrong. Numerous things can indeed affect the readability of content and make it appear unprofessional.
Experts in the digital product design sector, such as Widelab, can identify various types of typography mistakes. Some of the most common ones are listed below:

1. Inappropriate font selection

To maintain text readability, it is essential to avoid overly ornate fonts. Pairing fonts should be done carefully, as they are expected to complement each other and create a harmonious appearance for the text.

2. Excessive variety of fonts

Using more than three font types in the textual content can lead to visual clutter and make the design appear chaotic. In most cases, sticking to two or three fonts is sufficient.

3. Lack of consistency in font hierarchy

A clear typographic hierarchy is essential to support a structured content layout. Using various font styles, such as italics, bold, or different scaling, as well as switching to a different font, can help maintain this hierarchy. However, the consistent usage of these styles across all elements of the product is essential.

4. Scaling fonts without proportional adjustment

Distorted and visually unappealing text can result from failing to maintain the original proportions between a character’s height and width.

5. Improper alignment and justification

Inconsistent alignment and justification can disrupt the flow of text. It is advisable to maintain consistent alignment and justification within the same text block. Meanwhile, experimenting with the alignment of different text-containing elements can enhance user interest in the content.

6. Excessive font decoration

While consistent font embellishments and decorative elements can enhance the visual appeal of text, an excess of these elements can make typography distracting and the text less readable.

Issues such as overly ornate fonts, excessive text effects, an overload of colours, and unnecessary strikethroughs and underlines are common problems.

7. Inadequate kerning and tracking

One of the major factors that can make text appear cramped or disjointed, subsequently affecting its readability, is poor kerning (adjusting spaces between individual characters) and tracking (adjusting spaces between groups of characters). It is advisable to opt for even spacing.

8. Ignoring best practices for accessibility

Professional design studio Widelab highlights the consequences of ignoring accessibility in different components of a digital product. In the case of typography, poor readability for visually impaired users can exclude a significant group of potential users from the target audience.

Create perfect typography for your digital product with Widelab

Since poor typography can make text challenging to read, most people easily notice when it goes awry, even though typography may not always be at the forefront of our minds. Experts in digital product design at Widelab are well-versed in creating typography free from the mistakes mentioned in this article.

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Bogdan Sandu

Bogdan Sandu is a seasoned designer who has been designing websites since 2008.

Renowned for his expertise in logo design and visual branding, Bogdan has developed a multitude of logos for various clients.

His skills extend to creating posters, vector illustrations, business cards, and brochures. Additionally, Bogdan's UI kits were featured on marketplaces like Visual Hierarchy and UI8.

He also wrote in the past years on sites like Design Your Way, WebDesignerDepot, WPDean, Designmodo, Speckyboy, Slider Revolution, and more.

Common Font Usage Mistakes – How to Improve Typography in Your Designs