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Monday 7 March 2011

8 Essential Web Typography Resources

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Over the last eighteen months, the world of web fonts and web typography has absolutely exploded. Modern browsers — on the desktop and on mobile devices — are embracing the WOFF standard, type foundries are adopting web type en masse, and libraries like Google Web Fonts are making it easier for designers and developers of all stripes to use web type in their projects.

The rise of web fonts has coincided with a greater cultural recognition of type in general. The hugely popular documentary Helvetica introduced a brand new audience to the power of type. For users who want to learn more about type and web fonts, the web is full of great resources that offer good examples of typography and explore the history and future of lettering and design.

Here are eight of our favorite sites to help you start or enhance your own education in type.


1. Fonts In Use


http://www.fontsinuse.com" target="_blank">Fonts In Use</a></h2>" src="http://9.mshcdn.com/wp-content/gallery/type-gallery/fontsinuse.jpg" width="400" style="border: none;" />

Fonts In Use is a beautiful site that, in its own words, aims to "catalog and examine real-world typography."

A collaboration between Sam Berlow, Stephen Coles and Nick Sherman, the site offers insights and deep examinations of typography across various mediums.

This is a great site not just for typography fans, but also for those who want to learn more about what makes for effective typography and effective uses of type.


2. I Love Typography


http://www.ilovetypography.com" target="_blank">I Love Typography</a></h2>" src="http://7.mshcdn.com/wp-content/gallery/type-gallery/ilt.jpg" width="400" style="border: none;" />

First launched in 2007, I Love Typography is the brainchild of John Boardley. The blog now has a host of contributors who highlight great fonts and showcase beautiful type, while also offering the reader a basic education in typography.

Through the years ILT has remained accessible to newcomers and that's why we like it. Be sure to check out Boardley's next project, Codex Magazine, which launches soon.


3. Typographica


http://www.typographica.org" target="_blank">Typographica</a></h2>" src="http://9.mshcdn.com/wp-content/gallery/type-gallery/Typographica.-Type-Reviews,-Books,-Commentary.jpg" width="400" style="border: none;" />

Typographica is a site that reviews typefaces and type books. It also offers commentary on fonts and various trends in typographic design.

The site isn't updated on what we would call a "regular" basis, but the content within the site is timeless, making it a great place for type lovers to visit.


4. Typophile


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Typophile is a typographic community that has been on the web for nearly a decade. The forums are a fantastic resource for great finds in the world of type, and they're also a great way to get proper feedback from other type lovers and design professionals.


5. Typedia


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Think of Typedia as the IMDb of typography -- it's a place where users can learn more about a typeface or font creator. Typedia also functions as a wiki, so anyone can join and add his own images, pages and information to the living, breathing typography tomb.

A must-subscribe-to section of the site is Type News, a weekly overview of the latest type news.


6. Webfonts.info


http://www.webfonts.info/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page" target="_blank">Webfonts.info</a></h2>" src="http://6.mshcdn.com/wp-content/gallery/type-gallery/Unicode-range---Webfonts.jpg" width="400" style="border: none;" />

Webfonts.info is one of the best resources on the web for gathering information about web fonts and web font techniques.

Maintained by Ralf Hermann (whose own blog is a must read for type lovers), the site manages to be comprehensive and up-to-date. It's also a wiki, which means that others can add their own information and updates to the mix.


7. Nice Web Type


http://nicewebtype.com/" target="_blank">Nice Web Type</a></h2>" src="http://9.mshcdn.com/wp-content/gallery/type-gallery/Nice-Web-Type.jpg" width="400" style="border: none;" />

Tim Brown is the type manager at Typekit. He also is responsible for the fantastic font blog and resource, Nice Web Type.

The main Nice Web Type site offers a great collection of past notes and access to Brown's blog, however, we encourage users to also visit the Nice Web Type Tumblr.


8. The FontFeed


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The FontFeed is FontShop's daily feed of typographic goodness. The site is chock-full of type recommendations, font news and great examples of digital type in the real world.

One of our favorite sections of the site is Type Tips, which highlights tips and tutorials, while also showcasing interviews with big names in the type world.


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More About: fontfeed, fonts, fonts in use, I love typography, nice web type, type, typedia, typekit, typographica, typography, typophile, web development series, web fonts, webfonts.info

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