{"id":81327,"date":"2023-02-13T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-02-13T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/designshack.net\/?p=81327"},"modified":"2023-02-13T10:00:02","modified_gmt":"2023-02-13T10:00:02","slug":"experimental-typefaces-fonts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/designshack.net\/articles\/trends\/experimental-typefaces-fonts\/","title":{"rendered":"Design Trend: Experimental Typefaces & Fonts"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of the biggest trends in website design is experimental typefaces. These funky, unique, and always special fonts can serve as the backbone of a project or provide a special spark.<\/p>\n

Experimental typefaces come in a variety of formats from handwriting styles to interesting serifs to color or animated fonts. There\u2019s something for everyone with fonts that are a little bit different (or even customized).<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a look at this design trend and how to make it work for you. <\/p>\n

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What is an Experimental Typeface?<\/h2>\n

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First impressions of these text styles include quirky lines, colors, and letterforms. They have flair and plenty of personality. <\/p>\n

Moreover, experimental typefaces have a strong visual presence. Maybe the x-heights of characters differ or rules of letterform shape and spacing are abandoned. There may be hints of animation or an abundance of color.<\/p>\n

Many of these typefaces are immensely unusual. That makes them beautiful and visually appealing.<\/div>\n

What might be most important when thinking about, designing, or using experimental typefaces is the push and pull between uniqueness and readability. <\/p>\n

Many of these typefaces are immensely unusual. That makes them beautiful and visually appealing. <\/p>\n

So, when we talk about experimental typefaces it is important to think about display typography. <\/p>\n

It\u2019s also important to note that while some experimental typefaces have a fully polished and finished feel, many are imperfect and don\u2019t have the same technical precision as something like Helvetica. While families and character sets tend to be more limited, you may find more glyphs, swashes, or behaviors that you would not find with more traditional typefaces.<\/p>\n

While this category of typography is \u201cnewer\u201d to a website and digital design, it is not new. Experimental typefaces have been at the root of poster design for decades. Just look at the cool type treatment for the promotion of \u201cVertigo\u201d (1958, above). <\/p>\n

Search \u201ciconic movie poster\u201d and you\u2019ll be flooded with decades of examples of experimental typography in action. While trends in typography change, much of what defines this style remains the same. <\/p>\n

Characteristics of Experimental Typefaces<\/h2>\n

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A key characteristic of the style is overall creativity which shows words, letters, and individual characters in a different way. <\/p>\n

Sometimes this means they can be difficult to read.<\/p>\n

When working with this kind of type element, there\u2019s a delicate balance between typography as art and typography to convey a message. Use experimental typefaces with enough supporting elements \u2013 backgrounds, visual cues or images, text in other typefaces \u2013 to ensure that messaging is clear and understandable, even if the display type takes a moment to discern. <\/p>\n

As with other typefaces, experimental styles can come in quite a few forms. Experimental typefaces can serve a variety of roles with a purely visual design, designed for a specific commercial or display purpose, or to draw attention to a project. <\/p>\n

You may note that experimental typefaces can be:<\/p>\n