by Stephanie Ivec | May 3, 2018
There’s a lot to consider when choosing a font for your eLearning content. There are so many fonts out there! A good rule of thumb is to choose 5 or 6 go-to type families for all your projects. This gives your work a distinctive style and consistent feel. Weight Many fancy/fun fonts are only available in one weight, which limits how you can style and display text in your projects. Look for a typeface family that includes multiple weights and styles—it will add flexibility and variety to your projects while maintaining consistency. That’s huge if you want to declare a standard font to be used across multiple course templates and layouts. Print vs Web Web fonts are specifically designed for easier on-screen reading, especially on a mobile device. Generally, web fonts are sans serif. (Learn about serif vs. sans serif fonts in this webinar.) However, as screen qualities get better and better, you can get away with serif fonts on the web more. In fact, a serif font can be a great choice if you’re trying to evoke a nostalgic vibe or make your design look more editorial. For example, the Courier font was designed to resemble old typewriter memos. Print fonts were designed for—you guessed it—printed materials. These are often heavier in weight, with more curves and wider spacing. The natural characteristics of print fonts can make them harder to read on screens. Fun aside, I recently watched an interesting video about the creation of a more sustainable print font, Ryman Eco. It uses 33% less ink than a suite of standard fonts, helping reduce ink packaging waste. Google Fonts is a great resource for free, open-source typefaces. Here are 5 great choices: Open Sans was designed by Steve Matteson and comes in 10 different styles, from light to extra bold. We use this one in some of our template styles. Roboto was designed by Christian Robertson and is the official font family of the Android operating system. Roboto comes in 12 styles with weights ranging from thin to ultra-bold. The font gives off very modern vibes and is sort of a mashup of popular classic fonts Helvetica, Arial, and Univers. Julieta Ulanovsky designed this typeface inspired by the old posters and signs in the traditional Montserrat neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It comes in 18 styles. This is always a popular choice. Raleway was originally designed for headings and other large type situations but was expanded to have more weights and styles in 2012. I had to throw in one serif font! Playfair is generally used for headlines and other display text, but it pairs well with Georgia for body text. With only 6 styles it is more limited than the others I’ve listed, but it makes for such lovely display text. Many people asked about font pairing in our recent typography webinar. One thing I like about Google fonts is that if you go to each font’s detail page, you’ll find a list of popular pairings with that font. We’ve also pinned some font pairing inspiration to our eLearning Graphic Design Pinterest board for you.
What makes a good font?
Where to get fonts?
Open Sans
Roboto
Montserrat
Raleway
Playfair Display
Greetings, enthusiasts of typography and eLearning design! As someone deeply immersed in the realm of fonts and graphic design, I understand the pivotal role fonts play in creating visually appealing and effective eLearning content. Stephanie Ivec's article from May 3, 2018, delves into the multifaceted considerations when choosing fonts for eLearning, and I'm here to provide an expert perspective on each concept discussed.
Font Weight: The article rightly emphasizes the importance of font weight, pointing out the limitations of fancy or fun fonts that may only be available in a single weight. As an expert, I concur that a diverse typeface family with multiple weights and styles offers flexibility and variety, contributing to a consistent yet dynamic design across various eLearning projects.
Print vs Web Fonts: Understanding the distinction between print and web fonts is crucial. Web fonts, predominantly sans-serif for on-screen readability, have become more versatile as screen technology advances. However, the article accurately notes that serif fonts, reminiscent of print, can evoke specific moods and are becoming more viable for online use. Recognizing the characteristics of each type helps designers make informed choices for optimal user experience.
Choosing Fonts - Google Fonts Recommendations: The article recommends Google Fonts as a valuable resource for free, open-source typefaces, and I wholeheartedly agree. Here's a breakdown of the fonts mentioned:
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Open Sans:
- Designed by Steve Matteson.
- Offers 10 styles, from light to extra bold.
- Known for its versatility and clarity, making it suitable for various eLearning applications.
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Roboto:
- Designed by Christian Robertson.
- Official font family of the Android operating system.
- Comes in 12 styles, showcasing a modern aesthetic inspired by classic fonts.
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Montserrat:
- Designed by Julieta Ulanovsky.
- Draws inspiration from old posters in the traditional Montserrat neighborhood of Buenos Aires.
- Boasts 18 styles, adding a touch of vintage charm to designs.
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Raleway:
- Originally designed for headings and expanded in 2012 with more weights and styles.
- Known for its clean and modern appearance, making it a popular choice for various graphic design applications.
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Playfair Display:
- A serif font designed for headlines and display text.
- Offers a more limited selection with 6 styles but excels in creating elegant and distinctive display text.
As an additional note, the article briefly touches on font pairing, and Google Fonts stands out for providing recommended pairings for each font, facilitating cohesive and visually appealing combinations.
In conclusion, font selection is a nuanced process, and understanding the intricacies of weight, print vs. web suitability, and reputable resources like Google Fonts is essential for crafting compelling eLearning content. Feel free to explore further font pairing inspirations on the eLearning Graphic Design Pinterest board mentioned in the article. Happy designing!
