Typography Tutorial - 10 rules to help you rule type

Typography Tutorial Summary

The video presents ten practical rules for creating clearer, more orderly type layouts, emphasizing readability, contrast, alignment, grouping, and spacing.

1. Set type flush left with a ragged right edge. In Western reading patterns, this makes it easier to find the beginning of each line. Avoid indenting the first line of a paragraph.

2. Start with one typeface. Combining fonts takes practice. Avoid pairing two faces from the same broad classification—such as two sans serifs or two serifs—because the contrast may be too slight. Master one font before introducing another.

3. Make weight changes noticeable. Skip intermediate weights when creating contrast: pair light with bold, or medium with extra bold. Small weight differences can be hard to distinguish.

4. Use clear size contrast. A useful starting point is to double or halve the point size—for example, a 30-point headline with 15-point body text. A three- or four-times size difference can create a more dramatic effect.

5. Align elements to a primary axis. For a vertical axis, align the left edges of type. For a horizontal axis, use the strongest horizontal feature, such as the cap height or baseline.

6. Choose from the suggested typefaces. The tutorial recommends Akzidenz Grotesque, Avenir, Avant Garde, Bell Gothic, Bodoni, Bembo, Caslon, Clarendon, Courier, DIN Mittelschrift, Franklin Gothic, Frutiger, Futura, Garamond, Gill Sans, Gotham, Helvetica, Letter Gothic, Memphis, Meta, OCRB, Rockwell, Sabon, Trade Gothic, Trajan, and Univers.

7. Group information with rules or lines. Dividers can clarify which blocks belong together and help make otherwise dissimilar elements feel more orderly.

8. Give the page edges room. Avoid placing elements on the edges or in the corners unless you intend to crop them. Negative space lets a design breathe.

9. Pay close attention to spacing.

   • Avoid forced justification, which can create distracting “rivers” of space through text.
   • Avoid a widow: a single word left on the last line of a paragraph.
   • Avoid an orphan: a paragraph’s final word or line stranded at the start of a new page or column.
   • Use one space after sentence punctuation.
   • Check the rag—the shape formed by the ends of lines—for awkward angles.
   • Use spacing to signal relationships: items placed closer together are more likely to be read as related.

10. Be bold or italic, never regular. The tutorial offers this as a final typographic principle.

Creators and Contributors

• Design: Chris Do, Blind
• Animation: Leo Dinh, Red Cat Motion
• Dedicated to: Simon Johnston, Art Center
• Special thanks: Colleen Mathis and Dave Waite
• Music and sound design: Adam Sanborne, AdamSanborne.com