Typography Basics for Clear, Readable Design

Choose type for the message

Start with the audience and viewing distance. A college notice needs clear details; an exhibition poster may allow a more expressive headline. Compare a few typefaces using the actual words in your brief rather than a sample alphabet. Check numerals, punctuation, and any language support you need.

Build a small hierarchy

Define a headline, subheading, body, and caption style before composing the layout. Use size and weight to separate these roles. Avoid giving every line its own treatment: repeated styles help readers recognise what belongs together. Look at the design in greyscale to see whether the hierarchy still works.

Adjust the space around words

Line length, line spacing, and paragraph gaps affect reading as much as the typeface. Give body text enough room to breathe and avoid stretching it to fill a box. Review awkward line breaks manually, especially in large headings, where a single isolated word can distort the composition.

Practise with one message

Create two versions of a workshop announcement using the same words and images. Change only the typography and spacing. Ask someone to identify the event, date, and location at a glance, then explain which version made those details easier to find. Keep the stronger version and document your changes.