Fonts have a crucial role in the design world. It shapes how the messages of the designer are perceived and understood by the audience. One of the most debated options in typography is serif font vs sans serif.
It should be understood that each style has its own history, purpose, and best use cases. So, whether you are designing a logo, a website, or a print design product, understanding the difference between serif and sans serif can improve your design game.
Serif fonts are typefaces that come with little ornamental lines called “serifs” at the ends of their characters. These fonts have a quite long history, dating back to the ancient Roman Empire, where carved inscriptions on monuments displayed early forms of serif. Popular serif fonts include the well-known Times New Roman, Baskerville, and Georgia.
Why designers should choose serif fonts? Below are some of the reasons why:
So, if you are working on a historical book’s cover design, a serif font is your best option to evoke the era and the book’s theme itself.
Sans serif fonts, as the name suggests, do not have ornamental strokes typically seen in serif fonts. They have a clean, contemporary appearance and are widely used in digital design. Well-known examples of sans serif fonts include Arial, Futura, and Helvetica.
Why designers should choose serif fonts? Below are some of the reasons why:
As already mentioned, sans serif fonts are mostly used in tech and creative industries. For example, if you are working on a startup’s website, you can use a sans serif to communicate accessibility and innovation.
When picking between serif vs sans serif, it’s important for you to understand how each of these font styles differs:
When you are comparing fonts sans serif vs serif, always consider your audience and the medium you want to use. Serif fonts can add legitimacy to a corporate annual report, while sans-serif fonts usually appear better on a mobile app for a much younger audience.
Whether you want to use serif vs sans serif font it all depends on your project’s purpose, audience, and tone you want to set. Here are some tips to guide your decision:
When you make a final decision in the sans vs sans serif font debate, keep in mind that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. The ideal option is to always rely on the exact requirements of your design project.