When I first became interested in graphic design I never fully understood the power of type and the power it had over language. I often considered typography as a minor detail within the grand scheme of the concept of graphic design.

However, I have since learnt to appreciate that text needs to be treated gently and with care. You can’t just guess at it, it must have structure and it needs to enhance the information it is conveying. Below are just five of my top tips to creating successful typography in graphic design.

1. The grid, the foundation of type

Like the foundations of a building, the grid is the basic fundamental structure of the design. You cannot begin to consider the typography before looking at a grid system for your design. A grid system within graphic design is the essential ingredient for creating a powerful layout using typography. Each grid will be specific to any new design. I like to use columns which aren’t too long to allow easy reading.

Although a grid is the backbone to a layout and I strongly believe in the merits of using it, there are times when the grid can be broken. Using overlapping elements can enhance a design and still enable the main grid structure to work.

2. Aligning your copy

I know graphic designers are often seen as eccentrics who try their best to be unconventional and different, but when it comes to typography structure is imperative. Left aligned text is on most occasions the best choice for the main body copy. There are sometimes occasions when right aligned copy may be appropriate, such as for headings and footers etc. When aligning body copy, headers and footers, it’s always good practice to use the same point to line the elements up to. This is where the previous step (the grid) is essential to help the graphic designer produce a clear and precise design.

3. The detail

Spacing, leading and kerning can all be overlooked by using the computer default settings to dictate these elements. However, these all play an important role in shaping the main body copy. It’s essential that main body copy is easy to read. Kerning which is too close will make the lines cramped and reading difficult and if it’s too far apart, the same problem will occur.

4. Nothing

This may seem a strange heading but ‘nothing’ is a fundamental element to a graphic designer’s use of typography. The use of space within type is extremely powerful. Knowing when to give space to typography and allow it to breathe is essential. Often, clients will say to make that type heading ‘bigger’, when in fact, it’s the space which surrounds it that makes text stand out. Knowing when to give typography space to breathe and when to limit the space for impact is essential.

5. Hierarchy

The main elements of typography, headings, sub headings and body copy need to have a visual hierarchy to allow the reader to easily navigate through the design or publication. These elements do not have to sit on top of each other, they can be sat next to each for example. However the headings must be powerful enough to make people want to read the rest of the piece.

Now, time to get back to designing beautiful type.