The main purpose of serifs is to make letters more easily readable. The term “serif” is from the Dutch word schreef, meaning “line” or “stroke of the pen”. They were first seen in print in the 14th century. Serifs originated in the Latin alphabet with inscriptional lettering-words carved into stone in Roman antiquity.

Some of the main classifications of Serif type are Old Style, Transitional, Modern, Slab Serif, Script, and Display. A typeface with serifs is called a serif typeface (or seriffed typeface). Sans Serif TypefaceĪ serif is a small line attached to the end of a stroke in a letter or symbol. Georgia is another serif typeface that has more character and charm. Of course, as a web designer, Times New Roman probably isn’t your go-to. You’ve also seen it as the default font on some of the older versions of Microsoft Word. Today, it’s still widely used in printed newspapers and news websites. Classic and readable (but, arguably, without much character), it was originally designed in 1932 for The Times of London newspaper. Perhaps the most obvious example of a serif typeface is Times New Roman. In web design, this style tends to evoke a sophisticated and timeless feel. These are typefaces that include serifs, which are slight projections added to the ends of a stroke. There are several categories of type, including: Serif Typeface This might include the serif’s presence (or absence), the letters’ proportional height, spacing, and breadth, as well as any additional decorative elements. In other words, Times New Roman, Helvetica, and Arial are typefaces rather than fonts.Ī font is essentially a collection of design elements that distinguish one specific lettering style from another. The majority of the time, what we think of as a font is actually a typeface.

Therefore, the next time you’re starting a new project, give it some thought as to what typeface and font would work best for you. Making better decisions for your papers can be aided by understanding the distinction between a typeface and a font. A script font is an option if you’re searching for something a little more ornamental. You ought to choose a sans-serif typeface when writing something that must be simple to read. After selecting a typeface, you must then select a font that serves your goal. There are several alternatives available to you when selecting a typeface for your work. For instance, the same typeface may be used for different fonts such as bold, italic, and condensed. That’s because designers produce typefaces, and they frequently produce many fonts for each typeface. There are dozens, if not hundreds, of different typefaces available, yet there are only a few different fonts. The simplest approach to comprehend this distinction is to think of typefaces as collections of fonts that share certain aesthetic characteristics. A font, on the other hand, refers to variants of a typeface, such as its size and weight, whereas a typeface identifies a certain style of letters. Although “typeface” and “font” are sometimes confused, they really relate to separate concepts. To put it another way, a typeface is how the letters are designed, while a font is what you type with. These characters are really shown or printed using a typeface. A font is a particular layout for letters, numerals, and other symbols. Although they can appear to be the same to the average person, there is a significant difference between the two. There are thousands of free fonts available today, but most can be broken down into 5 broad categories, or “font families.” All of these styles offer unique characteristics, and the fonts in these families play a significant role in their symbolic meaning – making an impact on your final logo design.What the difference between typeface VS font is when it comes to typography is one of the most often asked topics. Each type of font comes with its own pros, cons, and psychological meaning, that should be taken into account when you create a logo. Peeling paint shows a home that’s neglected glossy, vibrant colors portray a home that is well taken care of.Īnd, like colors do for a house, fonts are used to elicit specific responses and create unique mental associations with a brand. You want to get it just right, because that new coat will refresh your home and tell your guests a lot about the people living inside. When you want to design a logo, choosing the right font is like picking the right color with which to paint your house.

Difference between typeface and font