Author Archive: Neeru Bhangu

This is a guest post contributed by Neeru from Print Express. Neeru works in marketing and design. She likes sharing her knowledge of web and graphic design.

A Guide to the Most Loved and Hated Fonts

Published July 27th, 2012 in Design - 27 Comments

The type used to communicate a message is every bit as important as the language used to do it. Different typefaces, or, in this digital age, fonts, signify different levels of sincerity, whimsy, or authority. Some fonts automatically feel more official, while others cannot help but feel like fun. Some are easier to read while others are more of a struggle for the eye. Is there a computer-using, high school or college student who hasn’t played with different fonts and font sizes to try and extend a paper that is running a bit short of a required page length? Ultimately some fonts wind up being consistently more popular across discipline, user population, and purpose. The following is a guide to the top five best-loved fonts and top five most hated.

Most Loved Fonts

Helvetica

Helvetica was created in the late 1950’s by two Swiss designers looking to create a sans-serif typeface. Sans-serif is a design term, which indicates the lack of the projecting flourishes at the termination points of letters. To many readers this gives Helvetica and other san-serif fonts a cleaner, more modern look that is easier to read. Sans-serif texts are commonly used for online reading because they are easier for the eye to trace in a slightly flickering, digital interface. Since its creation, Helvetica has become the most commonly used font in the world, especially for official printing like municipal signs and notices. It may also be the only font to boast its own Documentary, a 2007 film called, what else, Helvetica.

The Psychology of Color in Web Design

Published July 24th, 2012 in Design - 8 Comments

Web design needs to do several things at once. It must look good. It must make sure the navigation of the website is clear. It must hold an internet user’s attention for as long as possible. And it must gently lead the user down the conversion funnel, quietly urging the user to do whatever action the site owners have as the goal of the site.

Because web design needs to have an influence over people’s behaviour, more and more designers have been looking to the psychology of color to help them create websites. They can play on cultural references to suggest trust, urgency or mystery to the target audience.

Read on to find out which colors are associated with which feelings. Please note, cultural differences can also have a big impact on these details.

Red

Red is a stimulating, exciting color. It is associated with passion, power and sometimes anger. It can be used for warnings or to show danger, but it can also suggest strength, determination and boldness.

Warmer reds, like brick or maroon, and strong and comforting – good for sites that want to suggest the lasting qualities of a brick wall. Brighter reds, like true red or tomato, are great for youthful websites that want to suggest energy and eagerness to leap before they look.