Hello there! Welcome to the next tutorial in the "Complete tutorial" series! (following on from the pixel art tutorial). I hope you learn as much as it is posible from this tutorial, and, most importantly have a great time in doing so!
At the bottom of the tutorial I will list good places to find Fonts, and my contact details if you want to give me comments, or need any help.
For many graphics designers, this is the ONE important thing they dont learn. If you learn about typography, you will always be better at making logos than other people.
<u>
What is Typography?</u>
Many people consider typography to be an art, and in many ways it is. It is a way to comunicate to the person using a product, tell them more about the style. It is a way to add more to a piece of art. It is a....well, you get the point.
In its most basic form, typography is choosing the right font for the right piece of art, product, etc.
<u>
The Golden Rules of Typography</u>
These are the rules that you should follow all the time, on every piece of work. We will come back to these in the next few steps.
1. Try not to use more than TWO fonts on a logo. It will croud up the peice, distract your attention, and just make it look tacky.
2. Never use every effect you can get your hands on, it over crouds it, distracts you from the actuall words, and again, makes it look tacky.
3. Generally use serif for formal stuff (important letters, newspapers) and sans serif for in-formal stuff (magazines, forum signatures) (dont worry if you dont have a clue about serif and sans serif, i will cover that in this tutorial)
4. Try not to use face fonts for long bits of text, unless you find the "one". (face fonts will be explained later)
5. Make sure ANYTHING that you type is easy to read.
<u>How do i choose the right font?</u>
Its not really as hard as you think. Its actually, quite simple, if you follow the 5 golden rules. if your piece of work is gloomy, creepy, dark, then use fonts that have a gothic feel, or maybe just use dark colours, navy blue, deep reds. Here are some fonts that may be suitable.
http://www.dafont.com/en/font.php?file=creepygirl
http://www.dafont.com/en/font.php?file=crusades
http://www.dafont.com/en/font.php?file=burned_gothic
Or, if you are doing a comic, these may be suitable
http://www.dafont.com/en/font.php?file=badaboom_bb
http://www.dafont.com/en/font.php?file=brit_comics
http://www.dafont.com/en/font.php?file=agent_red
<u>
Here are some examples of good typography, and why they are good. </u>
Lets look at the "Bold" on this packaging.
First off, does it follow the 5 rules? YES
Does it stand out? YES
Is it eye catching? YES
Does it represent itself? YES (by this i mean, if it was called "gothic powder", it would have to look gothic. It is called "Bold", and it is bold.)
Does it look good? YES
Lets look at another example
Ok, so...
Does it follow the 5 rules? YES
Does it stand out? YES
Is it eye catching? YES
Does it represent itself? YES
Does it look good? YES
Therefor it is good typography.
Lets look at an example of BAD typography now.
Does it follow the 5 rules? NO (it uses too many effects, for a start)
Does it stand out? YES (but only because of the outragously bright stroke)
Is it eye catching? NO (its just ugly)
Does it represent itself? NO (it looks like it has nothing to do with technology)
Does it look good? NO (its just plain ugly)
I admit, I may have over done it, but its just an example.
<u>
Serif and Sans Serif</u>
These are very easy to understand, once you know what it is.
Serif fonts are the ones with the fancy flicks at the end of them. Times new roman is an example. These fonts are more old fasioned.
Sans Serif are the fonts that are plain, without the "serifs", Arial is an example. The fonts are more modern.
<u>Face Fonts</u>
Face fonts are the more graphical fonts. These are the ones that are used for titles of movies and cheesy comercials. They normally dont work that well. Less is more, i always say! here are some examples
http://www.dafont.com/en/font.php?file=scary_monsters
http://www.dafont.com/en/font.php?file=argor_got_scaqh
http://www.dafont.com/en/font.php?file=action_jackson
<u>Effects!</u>
In this section, i will give examples of different effects available in photoshop.
The Original
Drop Shadow
Inner Glow
Bevel and Emboss
Colour Overlay
Gradient Overlay
Pattern Overlay
Stroke
Try different Combinations of these effects for interesting results! But remember golden rule number 2, Dont use all of them in one go!
<u>Right, but what if im making a logo?</u>
Well, the golden rules still apply. Do not use more than 2 fonts, do not use all the effects in the box, and dont use face fonts. Try to asosiate what style your logo is. Is it bold? Is it elegent? Try to fit your font by asking yourself questions. And dont say "oh, i like that" just because you made it. Put it into your own "Virtual Competition" with other profesional logos, see who's is the best. Always aim higher. Nothing is ever perfect, just keep trying!
<u>i heard some elite typographicisists (is that a real word?) Taking about pixel fonts/ What are they?</u>
Pixel fonts, basicly put, are fonts that are made up of only a few pixels, forming a letter. They generally only look good if used below the size "14pt", unless you are going for a pixelated look. They are esential for forum signatures, being plain and basic, yet elegant. Here are some examples
http://www.dafont.com/en/bitmap.php
As you can see, they are very crisp, and attractive. This is why i say:
You cant go wrong with a pixel font!
<u>Ok, now I know enough about typography to get started, buit what if i want to test my knowledge in some kinda cheesy quiz?</u>
Wow! What enthusiasum! I thought this question may come up, so i made a cheesy quiz!
Heeeellllloooo contestants!
Have you ever wanted to win something that no one actually wants? Well, heres your chance! (answers will be listed at the bottom, bla bla bla)
(before we start, none of these prizes will be actually given out, apart from number 2, if murph agrees to it
)
Ok, Question number one, for a tacky singing hamster:
1. Which of these is NOT a golden rule?
a) Dont use every effect that you can get your hands on.
b) Try not to use more than 3 fonts on a logo
c) Try not to use face fonts for long bits of text.
On to question number two, for a free back massage from our very own murph!
2. Which of these is NOT a photoshop text effect.
a) Stroke
b) Bevel and Enfloss
c) Inner Glow
Right, number 3 comin' right at ya for some out of date pasta!
3. Finish the sentance: Letters that have flicks at the end are called _____ Letters
a) Serif
b) Sans-Serif
c) Fancy
For a book titled "50 things to do with this book" (imcluding such things as "burn it" and "read it") here is question number 4.
4. What is the fith golden rule?
a) Make sure anything that you type is easy to read.
b) Try not to use more than two fonts on a logo.
c) Never eat a yellow banana
Number 5, for a cup of second hand play dough:
5. Which of these is NOT a sans-serif font?
a) Arial
b) Comic Sans
c) Times new roman
For a Mc Donalds Happy Meal toy:
6. Finish the sentance:
If all else fails, use a _____________
a) Pixel Font
b) Large Pickle
c)Face Font
For some Arial, What is Arial?
8. Choose 2 of the following
a) Serif Font
b) Sans serif font
c) Washing Machine Powder
And finally, for nothing but self Satisfaction:
ARE YOU GONNA SIGN UP FOR TDW AFTER READING THIS AMAZING TUTORIAL?
a) yes
b) yea, obviously
c)What kinda question is that??? (thats a yes)
OK, here are the answers!
1. b
2. b
3. b
4. a
5. c
6. a
7. b+c
8. all of them!
Thats it fokes! Please check out the links at the bottom, contact me if you want, etc etc. Also check out ma inspirational message
its really inspiring...sort of. Yea, i know this wasn't like any other tutorial, you didn't create something, and you didn't learn about the history of typography (yaawwwnn) but i think i gave you something much better:
knowledge.
Contact details:
MSN:
virtualtbag@hotmail.com
email:
virtualtbag@gmail.com
Links:
www.dafont.com
www.microsoft.com/typography/default.mspx
http://abc.planet-typography.com/
Remember all that i have taught you in this tutorial, good luck with future graphics design and remember to sign up for the design world for friends, fun and to further your design skills.
C ya round!
