How Do Fonts Convey Mood?

As a graphic designer, I know that each element, no matter how small, plays a huge role in the outcome of a project. Fonts are often overlooked in favor of other elements, however, this can be a huge mistake. Fonts convey mood through many different aspects, from weight to serifs and more. Here are some of the most common tips for utilizing the right font to convey your mood.

Serifs

Fonts that contain serifs are typically more formal and academic. Think about the most popular academic font: Times New Roman. This font is used by teachers and students for its easy readability and has become the standard in many schools around the world. Using a serif outside of a school setting may result in your work coming across as uneducated or stuffy, however, so be cognizant when deciding whether or not to choose it.

Bold, Italic, Underline, and Strikethrough

In graphic design, these four options are used to emphasize something. Bold font can be used to grab someone’s attention, or possibly as a way to increase the weight of the font (if used throughout the entire project). Italics are meant for emphasis when speaking, or often for foreign words or jargon. Underline is typically used for the most important words or phrases, and strikethrough is used informally to show a change of thought. While you may not utilize these fonts often in graphic design projects, you may find yourself using them frequently in writing or longer projects.

Fancy Fonts

Many people love to use weird or fancy fonts to give something a unique voice. However, I strongly advise you to consider what kind of message you are sending. If the font is too curly, it may be difficult to read or come off as childish. If it looks robotic, it can seem campy. Try to rein in the fancy fonts and instead consider making a unique font for your project.

Weight and Size

The weight and size of fonts can also make a difference with how your work is perceived, although for a much different reason than the other factors. Let’s say you are combining two fonts for a project, one to display the title of a business and one to explain what the business does. You would want a larger font with a heavier weight for the business name, as larger text and heavier text both draw the eye naturally. The explanation should be one or two sizes smaller and a normal or light weight. This makes it easy for readers to distinguish the most important information and make the text flow. As a final note, I would shy away from increasing the weight and decreasing the size, as letters become hard to distinguish.

Fonts are a huge part of everyday life, so it is important to understand the conventions surrounding font and mood. Whether you are utilizing fonts for graphic design purposes or just for general use, take these tips into consideration when deciding which font you want to utilize.

How Graphic Designers Network

Graphic designers often struggle to network more than people in other fields. Oftentimes, a graphic designer is self-taught and freelances, so they don’t meet other graphic designers frequently. However, just as in any field, graphic designers should try to venture outside of their bubble and meet others. This could result in a job offer or just a group of professionals who look to support one-another. If you are unsure about where to start with networking, here are my tips.

Utilize Relevant Social Networks

Many graphic designers overlook social media sites that cater specifically to them. Dribbble and Fontli are places you can easily post your work for others to see. It also helps if you interact with other people, either through their artwork or through messaging. Beyond these niche sites, however, there are many other social media networks graphic designers should stay active on. Instagram is the largest visual social media and a great place to gain fans and meet other designers, as well as host a portfolio. Furthermore, Snapchat is a fun way to keep people interested in your work during the various stages of completion, and Twitter and LinkedIn are must-haves for networking.

Attend Conferences and Events

One benefit graphic designers have over working professionals is easy access to design conferences and other avenues where employers search for new talent. Even if you aren’t in college, you can still attend these events. Make sure to dress appropriately, bring business cards, and keep your portfolio updated. It is also important to set yourself apart, so try to focus on recent accomplishments or skills that many designers don’t have. Finally, be polite and feel free to ask about others, not just talk about yourself.

Join Organizations

There are graphic design organizations in every country, and if you live in a big city, there is a chance that there are a few you could join. Joining an organization and attending their events is a great way to meet others in your field. You can also use your membership as a benefit, particularly if you are very active.

Start a Blog

If you don’t have a blog by now, you should. It’s a great way for people to gain an audience and meet peers in their field. Try finding a niche that sets you apart as well. Maybe you focus on one aspect of design (such as fonts), you have a how-to guide, or you take questions from new designers and build posts based off of those. No matter what you do, try to keep a consistent schedule, link to your social media and portfolio, and list your contact info for anyone who is interested in working with you.

Graphic design is a field that benefits greatly from networking. Although you can get by without it, you will be much better off with a network of professionals to build on. If you haven’t tried some of these tips, I suggest doing so right away.