A whole new way to express yourself is at your fingertips…
So, let’s learn all about the wonderful world of Addictive Fonts:
What is a Font?
Well, first let us examine what Dictionary.Com has to say about the word “font”
font
2 [font]
–noun Printing .
a complete assortment of type of one style and size.
In a broad sense, font describes the style and weight of the letters you use within a word processing program or sub-program (such as a text editor within a photo-editing program). For example, Times New Roman is a font style and it describes the way the letters are displayed. Or on a broader level, Bold and Italic are variants of most fonts. In the broadest sense possible, font describes the way letters are displayed.{ 1 }
Why Should I Care?
Well, the way one chooses to express their thoughts can sometimes be just as important as the thought itself. I use large headers to set apart sections on my blog to make it easier for you to read. The fonts I use in the header of this very blog reflect the informal nature of this blog as well as my own personal style.
The fonts you use to communicate (on a personal or professional level) say just as much about you as the words you type. “I’m modern, I’m old fashioned, I’m a little on the girly side, I’m a classical gentleman, I know very little about computers” are all ideas that are communicated by font choice.
What is Addictive Fonts?
Addictive Fonts is a website where you can browse thousands of fonts in a plethora of categories; once you find the fonts you like, you can download and install them to your computer for use at a later time. The fonts used in the header (the picture) at the top of this blog were downloaded from addictive fonts. Visit AddictiveFonts.Com for more info.
Can Everyone See My New Font?
Yes and No. If you use the font as part of a picture or as part of a printed medium (flyer, bulletin, memo, invite), then everyone will be able to see it. If you use it in a word processing document (say in an email or electronic memo) than no, unless your recipient has that same font. If they do not, they will see a font similar to the one you chose based on a number of different factors.
The bottom line is if you are going to be downloading custom fonts, it is best to use them in print or picture form. Don’t go trying to use custom fonts in emails to family and friends…because they won’t be able to see your fancy font unless they have downloaded and installed it themselves.
Awww…So Why Bother Then?
Again, just because your loved ones and colleagues cannot see your pretty new fonts in an email doesn’t mean these amazing fonts aren’t useful. They can really spice up your printed media, such as flyers, wedding invites, memos, resumes, etc… as well as your digital pictures (labels, captions, etc…) It is these mediums where custom fonts can really show off who you are.
In Conclusion
If you are looking to make a splash with custom print or picture media, then Addictive Fonts can help you really shine. It is worth your time to head over and take a look so that you can find a font that says "Yep, I’m perfect for you”.
Until next time…
1. Technically this is known as typeface, but since most people use the two words interchangeably, and to keep it simple since this blog is mainly aimed at layman, I did not go into the difference between typeface and font…it was simply not necessary or prudent. Here is a blog post explaining the difference if you really are interested.
