Aside from purely aesthetic considerations, these quicker page load times can also be an impetus for designers to finally take the step to use Web fonts in their projects. This format features improved font compression, which, in turn offers smaller file sizes and quicker page load times for users. 04. Additionally, free web font offerings from providers such as Google and Fonts.com also put typographic assets in the hands of more and more designers, both new and established. The web is becoming more media rich
The web site of Matt Luckhurst, a designer and Illustrator, proves the point that typography can be centre stage on a websiteThis might be evident from even casual observation: how many sites do you now encounter that feature live, beautiful display type as a main focal element? For instance, dynamic subsetting is a patent-pending technology used on the Fonts.com Web Fonts service – it works by scanning a site’s content and building a font on the fly containing only the characters needed for that specific page. Wearables, such as watches and glasses, as well as connected gaming systems could be fair game for web font utilization. Some providers, however, offer custom solutions for these situations. 03. If your aim is typographic consistency, not having all of your users experience the same presentation can become an interruption to that end. Nearly all modern browsers now support OpenType features. Digital HTML5 ads hold the promise of using web fonts to present more thoughtfully designed experiences to consumers. Web fonts are getting faster
Some fonts—especially those for Non-Latin languages with expansive character sets—can carry prohibitively large file sizesIn addition to the number of sites featuring Web fonts continuing to increase, data from the HTTP Archive also shows that average font transfer sizes have increased 30-fold from 2010 levels, from around 2kb to nearly 70kb. Web fonts could potentially have a positive impact in situations where legibility is a requirement not simply for the aesthetics, but to help assure that potentially life-saving information is quickly and adequately conveyed. What’s perhaps even more fascinating is thinking of ways in which web fonts could be used outside of the traditional graphic design structures of print and web design. It certainly feels like the web is becoming more typographically keen. In fact, you’ve no doubt encountered more and more instances where expressive typography drives the entire design of a web experience. Web fonts are becoming even more prominent in everyday life
The every changing face of technology means type will have to adapt to different usage scenarios, like the latest wearablesWe know that typography on the web has come a long way in just a few years, and there are still advances to come. 02. Some fonts – especially those for Non-Latin languages with expansive character sets – can carry prohibitively large file sizes, sometimes megabytes instead of kilobytes. Imagine Web fonts finally allowing us to see e-mails in more than just a handful of standard typefaces. Typographic consistency across media – whether in print, on screen, or on the web – is an inherent cornerstone of crafting a cohesive brand. While graphic design and typography are inextricably linked, until fairly recently it has felt like type has been forced to play second fiddle on the web – not because there wasn’t a demand, but rather because of technical limitations. More utilitarian uses, such as the type needs of automotive displays, healthcare devices, or your smart home’s smoke detector could help to make them more effective. There has previously been a gap between print and digital design in the ability to bring the finer nuances of typography to the web. While these features are employed easily enough in print design, implementing them on the web has proven tricky, again due to varying levels of browser support. Plus, the tools to create typographic designs have become more and more accessible – whether through easier access to Adobe’s suite of tools, or more affordable options like the Sketch, Affinity Designer or Canva tools. Especially considering that mobile device hardware must be thoughtfully considered in addition to traditional desktops or notebooks, speed is a constant concern when employing a multitude of typefaces on your site. One advancement is the new WOFF2 font format – which browsers and Web font providers have begun to support. All is not lost, however. Or perhaps use Web fonts to render the letterforms of a14-foot tall electronic billboard. Since the difference between acceptable and outstanding typography often rests in the final fit-and-finish design details, it can be frustrating to have an almost-perfect project limited by technical restraints of devices or browsers. In addition to general adoption and increased efficiency, continually impressive aesthetic stylings – such as layered, chromatic, and gradient fonts – may soon enjoy an uptick in usage as well. The advances in compression allow you to have great custom type while lessening the impact on your site’s performance. Web typography is becoming easier to finesse
The final fit-and-finish detail often defines great typographyWith web fonts becoming increasingly used and, indeed, more efficient, the future of web typography will hopefully include more improvements on the aesthetics of type itself.
