Choosing a Typeface

One of the most important choices you make while designing your Desktop Publishing document is the choice of typeface.  There are many different typefaces available, and each conveys a different mood and has different qualities which impact legibility, readability and suitability for your message and design    Different parts of your document can use different typefaces, and you must ensure that these typefaces work together to convey your message.

A typeface is a set of �fonts�, or character sets with certain visual attributes.  In the world of typesetting, a distinction is made between a typeface, which consists of that character set in all sizes and styles (e.g. Times New Roman), and a font, which is a typeface in a particular size and style (e.g. Times New Roman 12 point bold italic).  In common use, however, these terms are used interchangeably, so we will use them interchangeably in this WebQuest.

In the pre-computer days when documents were printed on printing presses, typefaces were sold as collections of metal or wood letters which were arranged to form words and meaningful documents, inked, and pressed to paper. In today�s world, however, typefaces are sold as computer files which contain instructions which tell the computer how to form the characters.

Most computers come with a set of �system fonts� � that is, a set of typefaces which come standard with that operating system.   Word processing and desktop publishing software often add more typefaces to your system, and you can also purchase typefaces and type families, which are related typefaces which work well together and are sold as a package.   In addition, there are many sites online which allow you to download free typefaces that have been created by individuals who want a type with a particular look or theme.

When choosing a typeface, you will want to ask, �What is the personality I want to express with this piece?�  Is your document expressing something dramatic?  Serious?  Playful?  Clearly, you will want to use a different typeface for a funeral program than for a program for a children�s carnival or a formal wedding.  By the end of this WebQuest  you should have a better idea of what to look for when choosing a typeface and how to find and install a typeface on your computer.