FONT
Design Exam Notes
INTRODUCTION
A font is a specific style and size of a typeface used to display text. Fonts are a fundamental
element of visual design, affecting readability, tone, and communication. Choosing the right font is
crucial in print, digital, and branding design.
TYPES OF FONTS
• Serif — Have small decorative strokes at letter ends. Traditional and formal. E.g. Times New
Roman, Garamond, Georgia.
• Sans-Serif — No decorative strokes. Clean and modern. E.g. Arial, Helvetica, Futura.
• Script — Mimic handwriting or calligraphy. Elegant and personal. E.g. Brush Script, Pacifico.
• Display/Decorative — Highly stylised, only for headlines. Bold and attention-grabbing. E.g.
Impact, Lobster.
• Monospace — Every character takes equal width. Used in coding and technical writing. E.g.
Courier, Consolas.
• Slab Serif — Bold, blocky serifs. Strong and industrial. E.g. Rockwell, Clarendon.
• Handwritten — Informal and casual, mimicking natural handwriting. E.g. Patrick Hand, Caveat.
KEY FONT PROPERTIES
• Weight — Thickness of strokes e.g. Light, Regular, Bold, Black.
• Style — Variations like Italic or Oblique.
• Size — Measured in points (pt); determines how large text appears.
• Colour — Affects mood, visibility, and overall design tone.
• Spacing — Affects readability and the overall aesthetic of text.
CONCLUSION
Fonts are far more than letters on a page — they carry personality, emotion, and brand identity,
making font selection one of the most important decisions in any design project.