Fonts questions - Graphic designers / Photoshop users

[Mr Pants]

Does anybody know of any decent guides / tutorials for typography?

There's a lot more to PS than I understand I guess. Like the Helvetica font. Looks awesome in some of these examples: http://blancer.com/tutorials/77064/helvetica-–-why-is-it-so-popular/

But never seems to look that good when I do it myself. I know spacing helps, but I don't know what other tips and tricks you can use for better typography.

I'm a sucker for some nice typography and simplistic web design. Just not that great at it myself!

 

[mas]

A nice little trick to do, especially on headers, is to add a very slight drop shadow around the text. Makes it pop.

Google 'smashing magazine' - they have some great articles on fonts.

 

[Revels]

A drop shadow?

http://www.smashingmagazine.com/

http://www.blog.spoongraphics.co.uk/

 

[Christopher]

Use drop shadow in tiny, tiny amounts. Knock it right back too.

It's hugely ugly if you don't.

Helvetica needs decent spacing to look right, especially in the heavier weights. Watch your kerning. Especially between the horizontals.

Have a read about Massimo Vignelli & Unimark. Now that's typography. Gives me the horn.

 

[Christopher]

What's you email? I'll send you Vignelli's portfolio if you want some inspiration.

 

[Mr Pants]

Sure man. Fire it over to: simon_@live.co.uk

I've been having a mooch here: http://www.siiimple.com/ Some top work there. Always had a strong interest in graphics / web design. Shame I didn't pursue it at an earlier age!

 

[Revels]

Hook me up too please.. dan@cliosport.net

 

[Mr Pants]

Btw Chris do you have an online portfolio? Would be interested in seeing some of your stuff! (Could mail me a link to that too if you don't mind).

 

[mas]

yeah me too please sam@ashtons-online.co.uk

 

[mas]

yes, a drop shadow? LOL

Works nice if its on a dark background too, to give it some depth.

A drop shadow?

http://www.smashingmagazine.com/

http://www.blog.spoongraphics.co.uk/

 

[Revels]

Lol. I posted that before I saw your reply.

Other suggestions would be some lens flare and try comic sans.

 

[mas]

There are some nice free fonts about at the minute too, have a look at Vegur & Yanonkaffeesatz (sp)

 

[mas]

Lol. I posted that before I saw your reply.

Other suggestions would be some lens flare and try comic sans.

Ahhh, I thought I had missed something.

 

[Christopher]

Lol. I posted that before I saw your reply.

Other suggestions would be some lens flare and try comic sans.

I hate you.

 

[mas]

http://blakeallendesign.com/

 

[Christopher]

Emails coming out in the next five mins.

It's a big PDF, by the way.

Vignelli > all, though. He did the NYC Subway infographics and signage, if you fancy a look.

 

[Mr Pants]

Thx for the mail buddy. Did you have a link you could PM or email me or whatever to your portfolio?

 

[Christopher]

I've taken half the work off my online portfolio now mate, it's not even live. I'll send you my portfolio when I get home, because it's on my MBP.

 

[Christopher]

Here's a screengrab of a couple of e-magazine spreads. A lot of people don't like DIN because they think it's too clinical. I <3 it.

 

[Mr Pants]

Nice and clean that. Just the s**t I like.

 

[Christopher]

Cheers. TeZ, a fella that used to be on here, he's sh*t hot at web stuff and a great designer too.

He's a mod over on DesignerTalk, which is absurd, if anyone remembers what he was like on here. LOL.

 

[Mr Pants]

Haha sweet. I love it, just not that great at it. Actually, here's some of my reeaaaallly old s**t from DA: http://scurotion.deviantart.com/

Now I'm more into SEO and websites that make money rather than ones that are aesthetically pleasing.