25 Must have typefaces for Graphic designer (Commercial typefaces)
“The beauty of type lies in its utility; prettiness without readability serves neither author nor reader.”
- James Felici
For any design project to be successful, typography plays an important role and is often severely underrated. I chose to write about this topic because I realized that in almost all creative endeavors, I face a time when I need to make a choice between a vast array of available typefaces and every time it is important to find something that can be a good fit and serves its motive for the project type and do its justification. Even if you are a beginner or a pro, this article will definitely help you.
In order to find a solution, you need to ask the right questions to yourself. In this case the question was — what are the common problems I always face regarding typeface and typefaces with multiple projects? I found out that there is a recurring problem that I encounter on an almost daily basis and I am discussing it here with a solution guide.
Choosing between multiple typefaces
Different OS have already given some pre-installed typefaces and as we learn more, we keep adding more typefaces to that list. Over time it leads to chaos and just like in a grocery store you may end up being lost if you don’t know what exact type of typeface you are looking for. Similarly, a designer may end up switching back and forth between typefaces and still end up nowhere. It may take a few minutes to an hour just to find the perfect typeface style that fits esthetically between so many similar looking typefaces.
Lack of Readability
Readability is one of the most important factors for making any effective design. However, most designers choose attractiveness over readability which is good until the design serves its motive but this is not a good practice to follow. Typefaces are meant to be read so we should use easy to read typefaces because our brains are so accustomed to reading typefaces that appear easy on our eyes and viewers quickly grasp the meaning of what is written and that makes design effective.
Unclear Preference
I have learnt from experience that different projects demand a completely different set of objectives and which require a unique combination of typeface pairing. There is a website that can help you in finding typeface pairing. Some purely intend to give information like datasheets, while others are intended to be fun and easy to read while keeping information like infographics and there is also a thumb rule that mostly designers follow is that they use max two to three typefaces in any given design at a time. To calculate so many things you need to know the basic knowledge of what typeface to use TEDx link here.
Mastery in using the right combination of typefaces is a bit tricky. The right proportion can enhance the beauty of design, if it is overdone then it will create a mess. Over the time I have learnt this and created a list of useful typefaces below. You can download it from Gumroad, a package of 25 handpicked typefaces.
No list available
I searched over the internet and realized that most of the websites recommend using combinations of different typefaces. I went through all these and found out that the typefaces they are recommending are not of commercial use. So I decided to create a list of my own keeping in mind that they are of commercial use of each major category (Serif, Sans Serif, Cursive, Handwritten and Futuristic) for ease of use and to my amazement these are all free. Over the time it has saved me lots of time. It eradicates any confusions and the need to memorize which typeface to use. I am sharing this list I have curated with you so that it could save your time because sharing is caring. Right?
Commercial or non commercial usage
The typeface styles in this list are compatible with each other so you can create many types of combinations of these. Being a graphic designer I have personally been using these typefaces in various combinations in various design projects ranging from social media posts or infographic videos, gifs, case studies, data sheets. Ppt decks and many more. To me personally these typefaces have really helped in enhancing the beauty of design and I’ve got feedback from other people also.
Here is the list:
Typefaces
Sans serif
Josefin Sans typeface | Santiago Orozco | typefaceSpace
Metropolis typeface Family · 1001 typefaces
Vision Font Family — Dafont Free
Peace Sans | FREE FONT on Behance
Sansation Font — 1001 Free Fonts
Serif
typeface Squirrel | Soria typeface Free by By Dani
Abril Fatface Font — 1001 Free Fonts
https://www.1001typefaces.com/fatcow-typeface.html
DM Serif Display — Google Fonts
Script :
Brusher typeface Free — Free typefaces
https://www.behance.net/gallery/24882765/Hamster-Script-(Free-typeface)
Ontel Font by Khurasan · Creative Fabrica
Nexa Rust typeface Family · 1001 typefaces
Elongated
Big Noodle Titling typeface | Sentinel Type | typefaceSpace
Ostrich Sans | The League of Moveable Type
Font Squirrel | Rex Font Free by Fontfabric
Rusty & Fun
Luckiest Guy typeface · 1001 typefaces
PROMESH Font Family · 1001 Fonts
Holtzberg Typeface — Dafont Free
https://www.behance.net/gallery/32938133/Audrey-FREE-typeface
Some websites from where I prefer to download typefaces and these are all time tested links:
Bonus point:
Just for fun, I self created my own typeface. Here is an article
Want to create your own typeface? I would love to share my knowledge and help you in that
Hope you enjoy the list below and it is useful to you. In case you find something interesting to add to the list which can be beneficial to all so feel free to contact me.