Blog

Why Typography Comes First

Type sets pace, tone, and clarity. Master letterforms, spacing, and hierarchy to lift any layout, even without images.

Use limited weights, consistent sizes, and generous spacing. Test readability at multiple distances and sizes.

Pair typefaces with intention. Use contrast in scale and weight to direct attention and build a clear rhythm across the page.

Set line length between 45–75 characters to reduce eye fatigue. Adjust leading relative to x-height, not just point size.

Audit your interface for typographic roles: headings, subheads, body, meta, captions, and controls. Eliminate one-off styles.

High-Contrast Color Choices

Start with grayscale. Then introduce accent colors with clear roles. Verify contrast across states and backgrounds.

Document tokens for text, background, and borders. Consistency saves time and reduces errors.

Use semantic naming for tokens. Map components to roles, not hex codes, so future changes do not break the system.

Test contrast for normal and large text. Validate hover, focus, disabled, and error states against accessible thresholds.

Consider color blindness. Encode meaning with shape, text, and position, not color alone.

Grids That Don’t Fight You

Pick a base unit and stick to it. Align text blocks and controls. Let whitespace do the heavy lifting.

Start with a simple baseline grid and scale up only if you have evidence.

Define container widths and gutters early. Use consistent spacing steps to prevent layout drift across pages.

Prefer fewer breakpoints. Teach components to reflow gracefully instead of hard-coding pixel-perfect positions.

Prototype with content. A grid that works with real copy is worth more than a pristine mock that hides problems.