Whether you are interested in designing a new website or giving your existing one a facelift, typography can play an integral role. Just changing the typeface can give your site a fresh look without the need for a complete overhaul. If you are planning on changing your website fonts, typeface, or styling you should always seek the help of a professional website design company in London.
But before you embark on making such changes in the web design, you must be aware of today’s typography trends. After all, whether you are a self-employed web designer or part of a web design studio in San Francisco, you want your website to have a modern appeal, right?
Web Design Typography Trend #1. Handwriting
A natural handwritten script somehow has an air of authenticity. And authenticity is something that today’s consumer wants. There are several activities of a business that promote trust and authenticity, but there are also psychological triggers. The handwritten script adds a personal touch to website design. At the same time, the type of handwritten script must also reflect a business brand. Take a look at these examples of handwritten logos. Some have been around for years, of course, and they are now synonymous with their brands. Yet, others, such as the more recent Harley Davidson and Barbie scripts, have evolved.
The bottom line is this: handwritten typography is not going anywhere. It will continue to capture and intrigue, and it will continue to trigger certain psychological responses.
Web Design Typography Trend #2. Watercolor Typography/Fonts
We have all seen stunning watercolor paintings. The colors are not sharp and clear but more blended with shades that evolve. The lettering can be all a blend of one color or multiple colors:
Watercolor typography has become more popular, especially along with handwritten, because they do go well together. Watercolor typography triggers feelings of calm, collected vibes, and is a great option for websites that might feature cosmetics, bridal/wedding services, newborn infant products, wedding hashtag generator, and such.
Web Design Typography Trend #3. Serif
A font that has been around for such a long time but one that is making a bit of a comeback. And there’s a lot of flexibility with tools now so that you can do lots of extra things with Serif. Sans Serif is still in use too (often called Grotesque or Gothic), and can be dramatic with flairs of color and varieties of sizes.
Web Design Typography Trend #4. Vintage Typography
If nothing else, vintage fonts conjure up nostalgia. And while millennials and Gen X’ers are certainly not into nostalgia in their personal lives (Grandma’s good china is not a coveted item), they do tend to appreciate the connotation that it does mean long-standing quality.
This typography has been in place since 1911, and though some product labels have different colors, the font/type does not change. Descriptions of products and other information on the site use a rather standard font, but every page includes this permanent vintage typography of its original logo.
Vintage typography promotes trust – the visitor/customer has the “feel” that the company has a long and solid history. And even newer companies can establish that feel by adopting vintage typography.
Web Design Typography Trend #5. Big and Small Together for Emphasis and Drama
While a lot of people like the consistency and uniformity of typography that is all the same size in phrases and notifications, many more are captured by major changes in sizes, especially when a business wants to emphasize something. Experimenting with different sizes (and even fonts) with text can be dramatic and will grab attention. It is a good way to emphasize the most important words or phrases of a piece of text.
Web Design Typography Trend #6. Color
Oh my, yes. Color never goes out of style, and it allows so much more creativity when coupled with exciting fonts that relate to a brand. Think about Lego or the many “faces” of Google, for example.
The absence of color variations can also depict seriousness, and a lot of businesses are focused on the serious. For example, Claude McPherson, writing service Studious, website management director, states this: “Our customers want the basics and want them simply and clearly explained. We use a lot of block print without much color, adding a few splashes when we want our visitors to see something unique or unusual. It works for us, but every business knows its customers and should use a color accordingly.”
Web Design Typography Trend #7. Variety in Fonts
Mixing and matching a variety of fonts is a design trend on the rise. It allows a lot of creativity and eye appeal if it is not overdone. Using cursive mixed with block lettering, using vintage with modern – all of these things can be incorporated, if done right. It will take some experimentation, of course, but the great thing about website typography? It’s so easy to change, test, and change again. Go for it.
Web Design Typography Trend #8. Geometrics
Geometrics will probably never go out of style. Geometry is all about points, lines, shapes, and positions. The possibilities for typography are endless, and geometry will always be a part of any typography that is designed. The use of geometry can be very basic, using typical shapes and lines, or it can be used as a start point for far more creative typography effects. Take a look at this geometric typography design by creativemarket.com – the use of geometric shapes to create an amazing font. Here is a chance to get wonderfully creative – a far cry from the black and white geometric typography that may have a place for more traditional brands but not for those that want to make a “splash.”
Web Design Typography Trend #9. Overlays and Cut-outs
These are especially fun typography projects. Embedding visuals within typography itself can create an amazing and eye-catching feature to website design. These add lots of layers to typography designs, contrasting with the boring and very “flat” looking website page.
Further, they add the effect of 3-D illusion. Take a look at this trend as Pavilion uses it. How cool is this?
Web Design Typography Trend #10. The Content Itself
In our hard work to experiment with and design incredible typographical effects, we can often forget that what is said is just as important as the way it looks to a visitor or user. Words are powerful all by themselves, and the best typography cannot itself substitute for creative and compelling textual presentation. Designers are artists – they are not always creative journalistic writers that can present a brand message that resonates with an audience. If this is a need, then it is critical to get professional help. There is any number of freelance writers or creative writing services that have creative copywriting departments to meet such needs.
Conclusion: Customize Everything
If you want your web design project to stand out among all the other sites out there, the best way to go is to customize every single part of it. Create your own fonts. Start by making fonts based on the existing ones, if you don’t have enough courage of imagination. The more individual the site looks, the more attention it draws, the more visitors it gets. And this is what every one of your customers will want from their websites, isn’t it? While you can still play around with various existing styles, trends, and preset typefaces, the future is in customization. Make no mistake about that.
