Structure

The structure of a typeface refers to how it is built. Modern fonts are built as if they are made out of tubing, they have uniform width without thick/thin transitions. Others are as if built from ornamented gates and railings with different widths and slants. Some typefaces fall somewhere in between these two. If you are going to use type from two different families, use two families with different structures.

Earlier you learned how type is organized into different categories. Now you will find out that those categories are founded on similar structures.

A rule of thumb for beginners is never combine two serif types on the same page. But for more advance designers, it is possible to break that rule if you do it wisely. So if you do decide to combine serif types,

• make sure they are from different categories (You can use two serif faces if one is modern and one is old style or slab serif)

• be sure to boost the contrast in other ways if possible

• too much similarity translates into conflict instead of contrast

Quiz

Can you name each of the typeface categories here? One category per line.

There are five different typefaces in this one quote.
To the extent they work together it is because they are each from a different category of type.

.

Two sans serif typefaces work together because the smaller one, Optima, is one of the few sans serifs types that has thick and thin strokes.

Other contrasts:

• All caps vs lowercase

• Large size vs small

• Bold Vs roman

.

Two sans serifs together.

• Modern face Vs slab serif face

• Bold Vs roman

• Large Vs small