Typeface/Font
- Technically, a typeface and a font are not exactly the same but for our lesson we'll define them as the specific named digital typeface used for text in a document. Some examples: Arial, Gills Sans, Times New Roman, Garamond, and American Typewriter.
Serif/Sans Serif
- The little ears and feet at the ends of some typefaces are serifs. Examples: Times New Roman, Garamond, Century Schoolbook. Typefaces with have no serifs are called Sans Serif. Examples: Arial, Helvetica, Gills Sans, Franklin Gothic.
Script/Handwriting
- Typefaces which mimic cursive or printed handwriting. Script faces are generally more stylized/formal cursive fonts. Examples: BrushScript, French Script MT, Vivaldi. Handwriting fonts may be formal or casual and may be created from actual handwriting samples. They can be cursive or printed or a combination. Examples: Comic Sans MS, Kristen ITC, Lucida Handwriting.
Display/Decorative
- These typefaces may be serif, sans serif, script, or some other style with exaggerated features, extra decorative elements (curls, spots, rough edges). They are generally best suited for use at large sizes and used in small amounts such as for headlines or titles. They don't usually work well for large blocks of text. Examples: Snap ITC, Perpetua Titling MT, Playbill.
All Caps
- Sometimes headlines, titles, or small blocks of text are set in all capital (uppercase) letters. Some typefaces are designed specifically for All Caps, having no lowercase letters.
Type Family
- Some typefaces have "matching" bold, italic, light, or condensed versions of the same basic typeface. Examples: Arial (normal), Arial Black, Arial Narrow, Arial Rounded Bold. Narrow or Condensed type means the letters are narrower and more fit on a line than the same version in normal size. Black is usually a bolder bold. Light is usually thinner lines than the normal. Some families may have both serif and sans serif versions and possibly even script versions -- all designed to work well together.
Contrast
- Differences in style or appearance create contrast. The more "different" then the more contrast there is between elements. Examples are Big vs. Small, Dark vs. Light, and Thick vs. Thin.
Bonus Study Material: For mor in-depth definitions and illustrations of these and related terms see: Serif | Sans Serif | Script | All Caps | Using All Caps | Creating Contrast | Reversed Type Treatments
Create a Greeting Card > Lesson 6 Definitions | Instruction | Assignment
