Typography
Typography defines how text appears across an interface, encompassing font families, sizes, weights, line heights, and spacing. A well-structured typography system improves readability, hierarchy, and the overall user experience. It also ensures consistency across different platforms and devices, helping users quickly scan and comprehend content.
Best practices
Define a type scale
Create a clear system for font sizes: e.g., H1 > H2 > H3 > Body > Caption.
Use consistent increments (e.g., 1.25× or a standard step) so styles harmonize.
Maintain legibility and contrast
Ensure sufficient color contrast between text and background (WCAG guidelines).
Avoid fonts that are overly decorative or hard to read, especially for body text.
Limit font families
Too many fonts can make the interface appear disjointed.
Typically, one or two font families (e.g., one for headings, one for body) are sufficient.
Consider responsive design
Adjust font sizes and line spacing for different screen sizes to maintain readability.
Use relative units (e.g., rem, em) so text scales appropriately.
Use consistent spacing
Establish standard line heights (leading), paragraph spacing, and letter spacing (tracking).
Consistency helps users seamlessly flow from one text block to another.
Accessibility in focus
Provide alt text for decorative fonts used in images or graphics.
Test typographic elements with assistive technologies and ensure focus states are clear for screen readers.
Assign typographic styles as variables or tokens (e.g., font-size-h1, font-weight-bold) to maintain consistency throughout your product.
Summary
Typography is a core design foundation that shapes how users perceive and interact with text-based information. By defining a scalable hierarchy, maintaining readability and contrast, and limiting the number of font families, you ensure a coherent and accessible user experience. A robust typography system not only elevates the visual appeal of your product but also guides users in navigating and understanding content effectively.
