Improve your knowledge of typography.
Some months ago I was promoting this entry on the major presence of typography in web design: 95% of web design is typography. It is true and proven that typography is what builds layout. The major problem with typography is that the average visitor is used to the stock fonts found on the Windows. Now the average Web 2.0 amateur web designer will try to use those stock fonts as default on their website. This will eventually end up bringing down the user experience.
The best solution for the professional web designer is to be aware of the limitations of the web in terms of use of fonts and optimise one’s knowledge of typography. Mark Boulton states in his book Five Simple Steps to Web Design that his education in typography and his unique grasp of layouting (based on typography) is what his clients searched for when they came to him. Conclusion, having the best knowledge in typography will get boost your web designing.
How can you do that? By following typography sites worldwide or by getting into a typography course which seems to be a rare thing (believe me, I’ve been trying to find a crash course near me for the past 3 years). The web has a lot to offer in this field. Here are the two fresh sites I’ve been following recently.
The first one, just because it allows me to follow the other sites without having to actually skim through all their RSS feeds. Type Daily. A great type oriented news aggregator.
The second one is really font oriented. It will help you reach new heights in terms of typography mastering and design skills in general. This one is a real must. FontShop Education.
Category: Design, Inspiration, Typography
