The art of kerning and letter
The Art of Kerning and Letter
Typography is an art that involves the selection of fonts, arrangements of letters, and the spacing between them to create visually appealing designs. One of the most important aspects of typography is the use of kerning, which refers to the adjustment of space between two letters to improve the visual harmony of a typeface. The art of kerning and letter spacing is crucial for designers, and it requires not only a good eye but also an understanding of the rules and nuances of typography.
What Is Kerning?
Kerning refers to the spacing between two adjoining letters in a typeface. It is a technique used to adjust the space between letters to improve the overall readability and visual attractiveness of the text. The aim of kerning is to create an even balance between the letters by modifying their spacing, which helps to eliminate uneven gaps and spacing issues.
In typography, letters are designed to follow certain rules, such as having equal spaces on either side of a letter. However, sometimes, these rules can make the text appear unbalanced, causing specific letter combinations to look awkward and poorly designed. That's where kerning comes in to adjust the spacing between letters to create a visually pleasing text.
Why Is Kerning Important?
Kerning is essential in typography because it helps to create a visually appealing text to the reader. Proper kerning can make the difference between a good design and a great one. With proper kerning, the letters in a typeface will be well balanced, making words and sentences more legible. Likewise, properly kerned words also improve readability, ultimately resulting in a more pleasant reading experience for the user.
A lack of proper kerning can lead to an unprofessional, sloppy appearance that can hinder the text's overall effectiveness. For instance, a lack of space between letters in some letters can lead to them appearing to merge into each other, making the text more challenging to read. On the other hand, too much space between letters can make the text look awkward and spread out, hindering its overall legibility.
How to Kern Texts
Designers need to consider numerous factors while kerning texts, including font size, line spacing, typeface, and the intended use of the typography. You should kern texts based on individual letters rather than the entire word or phrase to create the perfect balance between them. Recommended steps to kern texts include:
- Choose an appropriate typeface, as different fonts have different spacing requirements.
- Set the font size and line spacing before adjusting the kerning.
- Identify the letters that require kerning, such as A and V or T and Y. These letters typically have overlapping or protruding features that require spacing adjustments.
- Adjust the letter pairs' spacing using a kerning slider or menu in graphic design software.
- Take a step back to assess the text's overall appearance and adjust it accordingly.
Letter Spacing
Letter spacing is the overall amount of space between the letters in a typeface. It can be adjusted to create visually appealing text, particularly in large headings and titles. Like kerning, letter spacing is essential in typography, and depending on the context, it can be increased or decreased to achieve a specific look or feel.
Letter spacing can be adjusted between entire words or over specific letter combinations. In any case, the final result should be readable and legible, even if it doesn't follow traditional font design rules. Letter spacing is an essential part of typography and contributes significantly to effective web design and visual communication.
Final Thoughts
The art of kerning and letter spacing is key for all graphic designers, especially those working in typography. Proper kerning can elevate typography and make a simple design look elegant and professional. Without it, typography can appear awkward and unrefined, providing a poor user experience overall. When designing typography, pay close attention to the kerning and letter spacing, and choose fonts that enhance your message and also balance style and functionality to improve user readability.