Architects and designers tend to overlook the significance of typography and often don't dedicate enough time to finding the perfect font. However, selecting the right font combinations can have a significant impact on the overall design of your project. Not only does it establish the mood, but it can also function as a powerful graphic element within the composition.
We would like to provide you with some helpful tips for selecting the most suitable font for your project, along with the top resources for downloading the chosen font.
Looking for the right font? Start by setting specific criteria. Ask yourself:
Are you willing to pay for the font?
What tasks should the font accomplish?
Do you want it to set a mood, or do you prefer a neutral tone?
Do you plan to use it only for the web or for printing too?
Do you need it for personal or commercial usage?
Important to know: Fonts can be protected by copyright law, so some fonts may be considered licensed artwork. It's important to check the license terms and conditions before using any font to ensure that you're using it legally. If you have selected a web font, remember to verify its usage rights for print materials too!
Where can you find fonts
Once you have determined the aforementioned criteria, it's time to search for fonts in online catalogues. Some of the most popular websites offering both paid and free fonts include:
Common architectural fonts
According to an article by Eduardo Souza on ArchDaily, here are some font models commonly used by architects across various applications, ranging from technical drawings to diagrams:
Futura
Bauhaus
Neutra
Bodoni
Gotham
Butler
Consolas
Helvetica
Modeka
Poplar
Choose the right pairings
Matching typefaces can be challenging, but with helpful resources, you can master combining exquisite fonts quickly. Check out the best font pairing tools available online:
Important for Archicad users
After installing the font in your system, it should be accessible through Archicad. However, the software may require a restart at times.
If you're using an archive Archicad file, keep in mind that archives store the font information used in the project, but not the fonts themselves. This means that if you wish to display textual information the same way as it appears in the original environment, you have to install the appropriate fonts.
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To embed your fonts to PDF, use File/Save as... Save as type: PDF and open Document Options. Click on checkbox PDF/A archive. Otherwise, the fonts will revert to the default (Arial).
No matter which of these websites you choose to visit or which font you ultimately select, you're sure to find something that works for your project. Remember to pay close attention to typography in the future, as it has the power to greatly enhance the overall look and feel of your designs!
One more helpful tip: If you come across a picture with a font you like, you can use font identifier tools to identify the font: fontsquirrel.com or myfonts.com.