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Fonts
There are many ways to organize a workflow when creating a layout. Sometimes we'll start with a creative theme, a captivating photo, a specific embellishment, a unique paper, or even just a moving color. You never know just what will spark your imagination to create a wonderful layout, or where your layout will start! But how many of us actually start with a font choice? Well, I'll have to admit that I usually leave my journaling and title work for last, sometimes leaving it with that "afterthought" effect. The font I choose comes even after that! I have learned, though, that even if you leave it for last, it doesn't have to look added or squeezed onto the page.
I am going to show you how your font choice can be the cohesive factor that can make your title and journaling look like it you gave it first priority on your layout and how it can make your layout fabulous!
Let me explain by showing you a layout with no journaling or title.
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For this layout, I really wanted to emphasize the determination that Erinn showed while painting these wood beads with a broken arm. The dexterity and patience required was quite evident and became the perfect theme for the layout. Clearly, Determination would be the right title to choose.
When I think of the word determination, I think of bold, resolute, focused intent. Therefore, I want the title to be bold, bright, and stand out with purpose. I want there to be no question that Erinn had absolute intent to get that painting done, and I want the title font to say that for me with its shape, texture, and overall character. I want the viewer to read my title, but I also want them to feel the title. The correct font will accomplish all of this.
I have also decided to place the journaling on a text path along the perimeter of the layout. To me that feels like the correct place on the layout to tell my story, so that the eye follows along in the direction of the arrow and keeps moving through the layout. However, the bold bright colors and the high level of print and texture on the layout will present a challenge with regard to font choice. I want a font that will keep with my theme and elicit a consistent feel in the layout, without competing for attention, and be readable as well. So how am I going to do all of that?
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I am going to play with fonts! The first font I wanted to try for the title is called Lettering Delights Pig Sty Font. I thought it would be bold, wild, and a good choice for my title font. I liked the varying sizes and shapes of the letters, and I thought this font would contribute to my theme in a positive way.
Also, I added ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Silvered 5101 Super Biggie and ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Ink and Texture 5101 to my font for emphasis. To do that, I simply typed my title, then added the styles to the layer by applying the first style, then holding the Shift button while applying the second. These two style types will appear together on the title font in all my layout samples for this article.
For my journaling font, I wanted to start with something clean and simple. I thought Lettering Delights Artsy Font would be a good starting place. I liked the childlike feel to this font, and I liked that it was very easy to read amongst all the activity in the layout. It is a simple font that contrasts well with the bold colors, high texture, and activity.
These two font choices are good, but let's see what else we can do and see if we get a better feel from something else. That's the fun part about playing around!
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For this layout, I tried a simpler font for the title. I chose Lettering Delights Sun Daze Font. I don't feel that this font exudes the same emotion for the word "Determination" as Lettering Delights Pig Sty Font. It is not bold enough, feels a little thin, and I don't think this one stands on its own well enough for my theme. This font does not have the same attention-grabbing characteristics as the first. I would say that this is not the best choice font for the title of this layout.
For the journaling font, I wanted to try a script font, so I chose Lettering Delights Elf Note Font. This one seems to present the opposite feel from the font in the first layout. It is busy, harder to read, and competes with the bold colors and the busy background. Although I like the font, it is not a good choice for this particular layout. Let's keep playing.
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For this version, I chose another bold font, Lettering Delights Grunge Font. I liked it because it was nice and bold, but a little "cleaner" than the Lettering Delights Pig Sty Font. This font also contrasts well with the busy-ness of the layout, but still maintains the character I am hoping to achieve. It is bold, intent, and strong. I like that the font doesn't all sit on the same baseline. There is a little bit of variation to it, kind of like the ups and downs of progress that one might experience when very determined. It makes a statement! It grabs the viewer and immediately elicits the feel I am trying to create in the layout. So far, this is my first choice for the title font.
For the journaling, I think this font is too busy for the layout. The font Lettering Delights Patty Whack Serif Font is a little difficult to read in this. I would say this font does not work for this layout.
So now, let's take the best font choice for the title and the best choice for the journaling and see what we have come up with for the next layout below. I am selecting Lettering Delights Grunge Font and Lettering Delights Artsy Font to complete my layout. The two work well together for the theme. The title has character without taking away from my layout. Its appearance is consistent with my theme, and it is bold enough to stand on its own as a title. The journaling font is clean and easy to read, has a childlike feel to it that supports the age and activity of my daughter, and doesn't compete with everything else that is going on. I am happy with the feeling as well as the aesthetics that these fonts create for the viewer.
Thanks for playing along with me! I hope these examples encourage you to experiment and play around with your fonts. There are so many wonderful fonts in the Scrap Girls Boutique. There's something for everyone – and for every layout!
Layout by Amy Flanagan
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Article written by Amy Flanagan
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