List of font categories
(These are more like tags, because some fonts may belong in one or more categories)
Traditional categories
- Old English (Aka Blackletter) — Blackletter is a style of typeface based on early written forms that features elaborate thick to thin strokes and serifs. The Gutenberg Bible, the first book ever printed with movable type, was set in a Blackletter typeface to mimic the manuscript writing of the time. Blackletter type is most often seen on diplomas, certificates, formal invitations, and in the nameplates of some newsletters and newspapers.
- Serif — A serif is the little extra stroke found at the end of main vertical and horizontal strokes of some letterforms. Some are subtle and others may be quite pronounced and obvious. In some cases serifs may aid in the readability of a typeface. Serif refers, in general, to any style of type that has serifs.
- Oldstyle (aka Antiqua) — In typography, Oldstyle is a style of font developed by Renaissance typographers to replace the Blackletter style of type. Based on ancient Roman inscriptions, these fonts are generally characterized by low contrast between thick and thin strokes, bracketed serifs, and a left-leaning axis or stress. There are two groups of Oldstyle typefaces: Venetian (aka Renaissance) and Garalde (aka Baroque). Examples: Garamond, Centaur, Goudy Oldstyle, Century Oldstyle, Palatino.
- Transitional — The Antiqua or Oldstyle of type of the 16th and 17th centuries evolved into a style known as Transitional in the 18th century. The primary characteristics of Transitional type is medium contrast between thick and thin strokes, less left-inclined stress than earlier Old Style faces, and a triangular or flat tip where diagonal strokes meet (such the base of a W). Examples: Baskerville, Times New Roman, Bell, Perpetua, Century.
- Modern (aka Didone) — In typography, Modern is a style of typeface developed in the late 18th century that continued through much of the 19th century. Characterized by high contrast between thick and thin strokes and flat serifs, Modern fonts are harder to read than previous and later typestyles. Examples: Bernhard Modern, Bodoni.
- Slab Serif — A Slab Serif font is a type of serif font that evolved from the Modern style. The serifs are square and larger, bolder than serifs of previous typestyles. Considered a sub-classification of Modern, Slab Serif is further divided into Clarendon, Typewriter and Block Serif Styles. Examples: Courier, Rockwell, Serifa, Clarendon, American Typewriter.
- Sans Serif — Type which does not have serifs — the little extra strokes found at the end of main vertical and horizontal strokes of some letterforms — are called sans serif (without serif). Within sans serif there are five main classifications. Typefaces within each classification usually share similarities in stroke thickness, weight, and the shapes of certain letterforms.
- Grotesque — The first sans-serif designs developed in the 19th century, and considered grotesque by the English. Examples: Franklin Gothic, News Gothic, Grotesque
- Neo-Grotesque — A more graceful development of the earlier Grotesque sans-serif designs, especially by the Swiss. Examples: Antique Olive, Frutiger, Helvetica
- Geometric — Sans-serif typefaces influenced by the Bauhaus movement and featuring circular or geometric letters, with little variation in stroke thickness. Examples: Avant Garde, ITC Bauhaus, Futura, Kabel
- Humanist — Sans-serif typefaces with oval shapes and variations in stroke thickness to create a more graceful, human appearance. Examples: Gill Sans, Goudy Sans, Lucida Sans, Myriad, Optima
Other categories
- Script
- Calligraphy
- Cursive
- Handwriting
- Brushed
- Multi-lined — e.g. Colonna, 3 Prong Tree, Caesar. Do not confuse with Outline!
- Stencil
- Outline
- Symbolic/Dingbat
- Decorative/Display — Used to evoke a certain mood, these fonts often look best at large point sizes. Examples: Curlz, Chiller … pretty much anything that's not traditionally serif or sans-serif
- Monospaced
- Proportional
- Wide
- Narrow
- Pixellated
- LCD
- Dot Matrix
- Distorted/Eroded/Blurred/Smudged/Fractured
- Mixed Styles / Ransom Note
- Mixed Caps
- Capitals — One set of monocase characters, all caps.
- Uncial — One set of monocase characters, combining features of both upper and lower case letterforms.
- Medieval
- Old West
- Futuristic — In the year 2000…
- Foreign — Chinese, Greek, etc.
- Childish — Badly drawn shapes, wild kerning, etc.
- Cartoon
- Bloody — e.g. Chiller
- Spiky
- Sports/Collegiate
- Famous — Knockoffs of fonts from famous logos and things.
Links
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