Serif Font Types’ Differences — Let’s take another look at serif fonts. In the previous post, we covered the differences between serif and sans-serif fonts. This time, we will go over serif typefaces in detail, so be prepared!
At this level, we already understand what serif fonts are and their characteristics. This font, which is commonly used in long-text media, has at least six descendants.
Having a thorough understanding of fonts is essential. Selecting serif fonts should not be done hastily; you must learn to recognize each serif font’s characters. You will then be able to select the ideal font with ease for each of your projects.
Let us begin the discussion right away!
Table of Contents
Serif fonts have gone through some changes over the years. Serif fonts types have had six descendants to date: old-style serif, transitional serif, slab serif, modern or didone serif, square serif, and glyphic serif.
Each font’s characteristics are listed below.
Serif Font Types’ Differences
Old style is the oldest serif font types, which originated during the Renaissance of the fifteenth century. So it’s no surprise that this font has the most classic visual and a warm and friendly serif-like characteristic, making it suitable for long-text media such as books and novels.
Old style refers to a shift from handwriting to typing. The application is based on ancient Roman inscriptions, which are distinguished by, among other things, the uneven thickness of the strokes between the two legs while maintaining low contrast.
Transitional serifs first appeared in the middle of the eighteenth century, bridging the gap between traditional and modern fonts. This font has the feel of both classic Old Style and contemporary Modern Serif due to the transition.
Transitional serifs differ from the old style due to the stark contrast between thick and thin strokes. This serif font types has a sharp and firm appearance while keeping a classic vibe.
You may be familiar with this font because it is widely used due to its excellent legibility in long-text formats. It has a skillful vibe and can combine classic and modern elements, making it an excellent choice for many printing designs such as books and official documents.
Slab serif is also known as Egyptian because of its appearance, which is associated with the nineteenth-century Egyptian Revolution. In addition, its solid and cuboid shapes resemble ancient Egyptian architecture.
Slab serif is a typeface that expresses bravery and determination through its thick and flat cuboid-shaped serif angles. This font differs from the previous type of serif; however, it retains a soft and pointed serif.
The history of this font dates back to the nineteenth century. Its first appearance coincided with the introduction of typewriters. This century saw the continuation of the industrial revolution, which brought about significant changes in production and print media.
This serif font types is easy to recognize because there are no thickness differences; all of its letters are thick, even at the edges. This is frequently used for brands that wish to appear classic, vintage, and powerful.
Modern serif, also known as didone serif, is a significant evolution of the serif typeface. The sharp contrast between thick and thin strokes in serif is even more noticeable than that of transitional serif.
This font first appeared at the end of the eighteenth century and became the standard style for general-purpose printing in the nineteenth century. This font’s distinguishing feature is its thin and sharp serif with a high contrast in proportion, resulting in a modern, elegant, and exclusive style of modern serif.
Egyptienne is another name for the square serif. It is a typography term that typically refers to a firm and tough square or rectangle serif style.
This font appeared and was created around the same time as Modern Serif during the nineteenth century Industrial Revolution, when power and efficacy became more prominent.
This font is distinguished by its large, square, or rectangular shape, which conveys a sense of strength and prestige. Square font has a variety of stroke thicknesses with minimal, if any, contrast.
This font emphasizes clarity and readability, making it suitable for branding purposes as well as for important titles.
Glyphic, a remarkable and distinct serif font, is also known as Incise or Engraved. This is a distinct serif font with details resembling an inscription or sculpture, making it stand out from other serif fonts.
The need for a carved or sculpture-like font drove the creation of this font. The relief-like letters are the font’s most distinguishing feature. This font’s edges are usually sharp, with a cuboid shape similar to Slab serif.
This font makes content stand out with its unique appearance that retains the classic vibe of serif font typefaces.
At this point, you should be able to distinguish between each font and how it affects your design, whether visually or functionally, as each has a unique purpose and role. Let us go over serif fonts’ roles.
Serif fonts give your design or brand a distinct and consistent visual identity. For example, using the elegant and traditional Old style font will give your design a timeless and prestigious appearance.
Serif fonts are used in graphic design to distinguish titles from subtitles, headings, and other text. The variation in size, weight, and style of the letter will help create a clear hierarchy in your design, making it easier for your audience to understand information. For example, using a transitional serif with high levels of clarity in letter sizes will make it easier for the audience to read the content.
Legibility is the ease with which our eyes can identify a piece of writing. Serif fonts are frequently used in paragraphs, articles, and long-form media like books and novels. For example, using the Slab serif font with its many proportions and firm letters will improve the audience’s reading experience.
In general, all serif font typefaces are classic and traditional; however, some fonts, such as Old Style and Transitional Serif, have a stronger classic and traditional style that draws attention to history and the past. So, if you want to give your design or brand a distinct classic and traditional vibe, you should definitely use these serif fonts.
Each serif typeface has unique characteristics that can convey a specific message and emotion in a specific situation. For example, you can create a sense of bravery and modernity in your design by using a modern serif font with a firm and stylish character. If you want to create a chill and relaxed atmosphere, then use a friendly and soft transitional serif.
Typography is essential for creating a good visual and conveying the designer’s message to the audience. Thus, it is critical to make an informed decision. There are numerous options to choose from, ranging from classic Old Style serifs to sculpture-like Glyphic serifs.
Understanding the characteristics and purposes of your font will help you present an effective and appealing brand design!
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