Using the correct font for a project can really tie it all together, but it can also make or break your design. By using the correct typography in your graphic design projects you can add the appearance of sophistication to your work. There are a lot of fonts available, paid-for and free, that designers can use in their work, but narrowing them down can be a daunting task. However, we are here to help.
If you want to add a touch of professional looking flair to your business card or other promotional design work, check out some of the top professional fonts that you should be using in your graphic design work.
1. Avant Garde – This geometric sans serif typeface is an excellent choice for an effective display font since it really stands out. Avant Garde is most often utilized in short texts and is used for headlines.
2. Bembo – This old style, professional looking serif font is a classic, and is most often used in textbooks, posters, and in packaging. This font is best for giving off a classic, yet stylish look and feel.
3. Bickham Script Pro – this formal font gets the job done while giving off the impression of professionalism. Bickham Script Pro is mainly utilized in design work that is geared towards formal occasions.
4. Bodoni – This aesthetic looking font offers contrast with its geometric construction and is a great choice for logos, headlines, as well as for decorative text.
5. Excelsior – The name says it all! Many believe that Excelsior is the best newspaper typeface of all time. This typeface is effective when used in proposals, newsletters, and in reports.
6. Franklin Gothic – This is the font to use when space is limited. This sans serif typeface maintains a high-profile image and is effective when used in billboards, books, and in newspapers.
7. Frutiger – This warm and subtle text has been popular in recent years and is a solid, all-purpose font. It is often used in the body text of booklets and magazines. Frutiger is also an excellent choice for display and signage work.
8. Futura – Futura gives off the appearance of forwardness and efficiency, and is most often utilized in books, logos, large displays, and in corporate work.
9. Garamond – This font has many different versions, but the most used today is the Adobe Garamond version. This font works well in body text, websites, textbooks, as well as in magazines.
10. Gill Sans – This sans serif typeface is an excellent all-purpose font, as it has an efficient, clean-cut look and is legible. Gill Sans is effective when utilized in signage, advertisements, body text, and in print media.
11. Helvetica – Helvetica is probably the most used font by professionals, and for good reason. This tested and true typeface is excellent in both print and web.
12. Optima – This classic, yet modern looking sans serif typeface has been successful since 1958. Optima is a legible font that can be utilized in titles, body text, and in a wide range of applications.
13. Times New Roman – This classic serif typeface has a classical, yet practical look to it. Times New Roman has excellent legibility and works well in magazines, newspapers, and in corporate communication.
14. Trajan – This old style serif typeface is generally used on Hollywood movie posters, and with anything that has to do with the past, marriage, religion, class, or law. It is also effective in books, billboards, and magazines.
