The art of type design is for a special breed of designer. The insane attention to detail required to create typefaces is enough to drive the average person crazy, as every subtle curve and rule matters. One tiny mistake is the difference between a masterpiece and junk.
If you’re a novice to the world of typography, you’ll most likely be familiar with text type, or fonts created to be legible and readable at small sizes. Adobe Caslon, for example, is a great text typeface for large amounts of text (like books).
Display typefaces, on the other hand, are less about legibility (though it is still important), and more about personality, character and distinctiveness. They’re best for logos, signage and posters, all at larger sizes (around 30 points+). Here’s a list of 9 inspiring, free display typefaces for you to use in your projects:
Blanch
Blanch is a display typeface that was originally created for Fruita Blanch (makers of fine jams). According to the designer, the typeface family came about from a search for a traditional font with a contemporary feel.
➤ Blanch, via David Airey‘s blog
Ribbon
Ribbon is a geometric, decorative face by Dan Gneiding, and is downloadable through the Lost Type Co-op: a pay-what-you-wish type foundry.
➤ Ribbon
Vevey
Vevey is a dreamy, refined sans serif inspired by a vintage travel poster found in the Swiss Riviera. There’s something peculiar about the balance of thick and thin strokes that creates a lot of visual interest.
➤ Vevey
Folk
Folk, which is in the process of becoming a complete font family via Kickstarter, is a goofy and casual display font with tons of personality.
➤ Folk
League Gothic
League Gothic is a remake of an old classic that recently became part of the public domain. It was originally designed by Morris Fuller Benton for the American Type Founders Company in 1903.
Ostrich Sans
Ostrich Sans is a gorgeous modern sans-serif with a very long neck and a whole slew of styles & weights.
Oh Mai Mai
Oh Mai Mai, by Jorge Artola, is a strange, ink blot-like typeface with unexpected balance and legibility.
➤ Oh Mai Mai, via Design Festival
Quicksand
Quicksand is a sans-serif typeface, influenced by the geometric-style sans serif faces that were popular during the 1920s and 30s.
Color Lines
Color Lines is an experimental font that, because of its complexity, cannot be made into an actual font file. It’s available as a vector for use in Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.
➤ Color Lines, via Smashing Magazine
These are just some of the best free display typefaces available on the Web. If I missed your favorite, let us know in the comments below!
Get the TNW newsletter
Get the most important tech news in your inbox each week.