Typography 101: Picking the Right Fonts for Business Success

Name: Typography 101: Picking the Right Fonts for Business Success
Rating: 4.2 (65 reviews)

Over 100,000 fonts are available! How do you choose the right one for your project? This course explains it all.

Created byAlexandra Krieger

Last updated 4/2015

English

English [Auto],

What you'll learn

Learn about the different font classifications - and I'll share my list of favorites in each category that will get you started
Learn the secrets that let you use typography to make your message shine
Learn which questions to ask BEFORE you start your design or layout project
Learn about mixing fonts (and what not to do)
Discover great resources for paid and free fonts
Become confident at choosing the right font for the right project for your business

Course content

5 sections • 15 lectures • 1h 33m total length

Why are your type choices so important?2:59
Understand how type choices create first impressions and emotional connections, and learn the basics of serif, sans serif, script, decorative, and black letter fonts, plus pairing and color.

Serif Type - The Traditional Choice6:36
Learn how serif type improves readability in print and e-books, review classic fonts: Times New Roman, Baskerville, Century, Garamond, Palatino Linotype, and tips for small print in business use.
Sans Serif Type - A Modern Option6:28
Explore sans serif typography as a modern, clean option for headlines and body text with digital readability. Learn how fonts like Arial, Medica, and Muria Pro offer versatile brand options.
Script Type - Traditional and Modern, and always in Style11:06
Explore traditional and modern script fonts, and learn when to use them for headlines versus body text, focusing on readability and avoiding long blocks of text.
Blackletter Type - Where it all Started4:07
Explore blackletter type and its history, noting its limited daily use and readability concerns. Apply sparingly for an old-world, impactful look, with examples like diploma and old English text.
Decorative Type - Let Loose and Have Fun!9:01
Explore decorative fonts that add bold personality to print pieces. Avoid mixing different decorative fonts; balance readability with a quiet serif or sans serif for a professional corporate image.

Make the Right Choices - And Ask the Right Questions2:27
Choose fonts that convey the intended image, audience, and readability for the context. Explore serif and sans serif options, and build a practical font repertoire for professional use.
Design Example: Business Cards4:00
Evaluate a law firm business card to identify standard information and typography pitfalls. Apply a neutral layout, serif company name, consistent title font, and blue to convey trust and professionalism.
Design Example: Flyer Handout7:37
Design a masculine barber shop flyer using bold fonts and high contrast, with a yellow coupon box, avoiding script fonts to attract men aged 35–55.
Design Example: Signage8:03
Design signage with minimal information for quick readability, using high contrast and legible fonts like Arial, while balancing a rustic German aesthetic and clear branding.
Mixing Fonts - Do's and Don'ts6:19
Explore the art of mixing fonts with practical do's and don'ts, using two to three fonts for headlines, body text, and accents within one family to boost readability.
BONUS: How to Choose Font Colours5:48
Choose color schemes that maximize readability with strong contrast against white or photograph backgrounds. Adjust colors, outlines, and backgrounds to keep text legible while matching imagery.

Paid Font Resources5:13
Explore paid font resources like fonts.com and myfonts.com, test-drive fonts before purchase, compare licenses and pricing for commercial use, and learn how to license fonts for printing.
Free Font Resources (yes, FREE!)9:12
Explore free font resources, including Fontspring and Fontsquirrel, noting licenses that allow commercial use, test-drive fonts, compare free options by family, and download freely usable fonts.

Requirements

Basic knowledge of the word processing or graphic software your currently have - no special software is required

Description

The right font is as important as the words it shows!

Why is it so important to choose the right font?

Look around you - look at the typography you see. With every word, every type you see, you form an opinion. Choosing the right fonts for your project has powerful results - the reader forms an emotional connection to what they see, both the words as well as the "word-delivery-method", the typography.

Get it right - and the reader will focus on your message... but get it wrong and the reader will be distracted, confused and unfocused.

Choosing the wrong font for when you are creating business and marketing documents will not only take attention away from your message, but it can lead to brand confusion and diminished trust in your business. Are you willing to take that risk?

Just imagine...

... a financial statement printed in a fancy and playful script font - no matter how good the numbers are, would you take the business seriously?

... an alarm company advertising in a kids-like font - would you trust them to keep your home or office safe?

"Font Fails" are all too common

I have been in the graphic and printing industry for over 20 years and I have seen my fair share of bad font choices. But I have also learned that poor font choices are rarely done on purpose. A typical reaction when I comment on a "font fail" and take a moment to suggest a better typography choice, is "that looks so much better - thank you". When you know the basic rules of typography, making the right choices is easy.... and that's what I will teach you in this course.

When you buy this course you will get:

unlimited, lifetime access to all lectures
access to all upcoming bonus lectures and additional content
an unconditional 30-day money back guarantee, making this a risk-free purchase for you
access to me if you have any questions (or help with fixing any font-fails) - I am always here to help!

Who this course is for:

Entrepreneurs
Small Business Owners
Office Administrators
Marketing Professionals
Sales People
Anyone who needs to create and format business documents and marketing & print materials

Typography 101: Picking the Right Fonts for Business Success

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

An Introduction to Typography 1011 lecture • 3min

Font Classifications5 lectures • 37min

Typography in Print - Let's Put It All Together6 lectures • 34min

Font Resources2 lectures • 14min

BONUS - Font History1 lecture • 5min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: