Here are the points to cover:
Your goal
Keep in mind the basics. When you are selecting multiple sources to work with, it is crucial that you maintain unity and diversity.
How many fonts should I use?
The number of fonts you add to the mix depends only on you, but do not forget the overall effect you’re trying to achieve. Sources, like people, have personality. This personality, as it happens to people, can collide with another. Think of your fountains as the wedding guests you have to place on a table; A person who encourages the commotion is sufficient, just as many people with a strong character can create tense situations.
Buy or not buy?
There are numerous free services with which you can take advantage of the @ font-face rule: google fonts, fonts.com, fontsquirrel’s font kit generator, but do not immediately discount the option of paying for a source if the project justifies it. The cost of a license may vary, but you have many advantages if you ultimately want to pay.
What is the nature of my content?
When we are selecting fonts it is important to consider the type of design we want to make. Do we basically talk about a block of text? Are there any titles with subtitles? When using multiple fonts make sure that the paper of each of them is clearly defined; If you are using one for the subtitles, do not use another one in another subtitle at another site. Keep the purpose of each source clear.
How do I get a good combination?
You may have already read this: a good combination depends on agreement or contrast, but never on conflict. That is, the selected sources can be complemented because they share certain qualities, or because they are completely different. However, source pairs can conflict in several ways – being too similar is just one of them.
Let us examine each of the satisfactory possibilities.
- Combining 1: Concordance
When we talk about agreement between two sources it may suggest that both have similar traits. Maybe its kerning is similar, its proportions, the height of the caps (cap height).
- Combining 2: Contrast
A contrast between sources may be the reason for a good comination, but how can they contrast the sources between them? These are the characteristics that you should analyze:
- Style: Take a look at any page of fonts and you will see that they are classified by styles: Blackletter, Monospace, Script, etc. Sources of different styles often contrast.
- Size: Large font, small font. Nothing else to add.
- Thickness: Varying thickness is a common way of establishing a visual hierarchy. Hierarchy achieved by contrast.
- Shape: Consider the proportions of the source. The relative length of the descending shaft, the curvature, the direction of movement …
- Color: We will not go into detail, but color can determine when two sources combine well together.
It is difficult to say with certainty when we are facing a good combination, usually depends on the taste of each and what you transmit. When you decide that a certain combination does not convince you, try to decipher what is due, this will help you in the future to make decisions more quickly.
