The Tipping Point S01E02: Using large type
Do you know why many typefaces include extra-bold, black and ultra fonts?
Hint: it’s not to set body text.
Seriously. Those weights are there to be used at very large sizes, and setting type at those sizes comes with its own set of advantages.
Here are some pointers on how you can use large type effectively.
#1 Ligatures
At large sizes, ligatures suddenly come alive. No longer a cool nice-to-have, standard and (especially) discretionary ligatures become an essential part of the text’s character. Always look for opportunities to use ligatures in your favor.
#2 Punctuation
As with ligatures, at large sizes punctuation transcends its utilitarian nature and becomes an organic part of the text’s expression, be it a logo, a tagline or a brand name.
Here’s the Deloitte logo
The vibrant green period is literally what makes the logotype. Remove it and it’s just a word.
#3 Color
Large type gives you the perfect opportunity to experiment with the liberal use of vibrant colors. A color that would be too light or illegible/borderline unreadable at small text sizes is now ripe for the taking (and using).
#4 Transparency
Yep. Take some oversized letters, scramble them and reduce their opacity. Now use them as a background or as a pattern somewhere. You’re welcome.
My example
To illustrate the use of these concepts, here’s the cover I made for my upcoming book Clothes for Language. Large, bold type (Butler) and a red color I’d never use at small sizes, with an asterisk that brings the design to life.
What are your favorite large-type designs? Let us know in the comments. And don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter to enter our weekly Free Font Friday giveaways. This week we give the entire atipo foundry collection away.
