Typeface and font are two terms often used interchangeably, even by experienced designers. But are they the same? Absolutely not!
Typeface
A typeface is a set of characters or letters that share a typical design pattern, and basic shapes that make up the structure for that particular typeface.
Here are some examples of typefaces:
- Transitional Serif
- Geometric Sans
- Script
- Bodoni
Font
A font is a specific size, style, weight, and width variation of a particular typeface. In simpler terms, it’s a subset of a typeface. You can also call a typeface a font family, as it encompasses a collection of glyphs (the graphical representation of a character) with different styles and weights.
Here are some examples of fonts:
- Futura (Typeface) – Regular, Bold, Italic variants in different sizes
- Courier (Typeface) – Regular, Bold variants in different sizes
- Lucida (Typeface) – Regular, Bold, Italic variants in different sizes
- Calibri (Typeface) – Regular, Bold, Italic variants in different sizes
- Myriad (Typeface) – Regular, Bold, Italic variants in different sizes
Understanding the Analogy
Think of typeface as a clothing style (e.g., sportswear) and font as a specific piece of clothing within that style (e.g., a red athletic jacket in size medium). The sportswear style defines the overall look and feel, while the jacket itself has specific characteristics like size and color.
Typeface and Font in Use
Typeface: Pre-defined, with established design rules for usage.
Font: Can be customized to some extent, with options for styling and emphasis (e.g., italics, bold).
Example: Helvetica
Helvetica is a widely recognized typeface known for its uniform letter shapes and overall clean aesthetic. It encompasses a collection of fonts with various weights, styles, and sizes.
Example: Avenir
The text written above uses the Avenir typeface.
- This text uses a font size of 14px and a regular font style.
- This text uses a font size of 18px with an italicized font style.
Both texts use the same typeface (Avenir) but have different font styles and sizes.
It was easier to understand the difference between the two in ancient times of print typography but it went off track in the web typography. This difference is essential to know when you enter the field of web design and typography. Typography can make or break your design.
So, if you want to point at any text and find it not suitable for your design, then it’s good to use the correct terminologies. You should not end up changing from one typeface to another when you just want to italicize the text.
Conclusion
By understanding the difference between typeface and font, you can make precise and stylish choices for your web designs. Partner with a leading digital design agency, to ensure clarity and effectiveness in your design language. Our team understands the nuances of typography and can help you achieve the perfect visual impact. Contact us today!
