Typography Masterclass: 10 Mistakes to Avoid in Your Font Design

Even skilled designers make typography mistakes.
Small errors — spacing, color, or alignment — can break visual harmony.
Here are the ten most common typography traps and how to avoid them like a pro.

1. Too Many Fonts

Using five fonts in one project confuses the eye.
Stick to one family (with different weights) or two complementary fonts at most.

2. Poor Contrast

Light grey text on white? No thanks.
Always prioritize readability over aesthetics.
Contrast is clarity — especially on mobile screens.

3. Ignoring Hierarchy

If everything looks like a headline, nothing stands out.
Create layers with font size, weight, and spacing.

4. Wrong Font for the Mood

Don’t use comic fonts for luxury design or cursive for tech.
Typography should match personality — it’s visual storytelling.

5. Bad Line Spacing (Leading)

Tight lines make reading stressful; too much spacing breaks the connection.
Aim for a comfortable rhythm — around 120–150% of font size for body text.

6. Overusing All Caps

ALL CAPS GRAB ATTENTION — but also scream at readers.
Use sparingly for emphasis or short headlines.

7. Ignoring Alignment

Left alignment improves readability in most languages.
Centered text should be reserved for short quotes or invitations.

8. Not Testing Responsiveness

Typography must look good on every screen.
Preview on mobile, tablet, and desktop before publishing.

9. Skipping Kerning and Tracking

Kerning = spacing between letters; tracking = spacing across words.
Professional designers adjust both to achieve perfect rhythm.

10. Forgetting Emotion

Typography is personality in print. Don’t pick fonts mechanically — pick them emotionally.

 

Typography mastery isn’t about knowing all fonts — it’s about knowing what not to do.
At FH Font Studio, we design with discipline and emotion — where letters tell stories worth reading.

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