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Reset.css – Basically this is a css sheet that makes every browser render the same. widths, heights, fonts spacing, ect. is all set to a standard. This makes the front end development quick and efficient. Here is the most widely used reset.css. It should be noted that many designers use this as a starting point to make there own reset.css.

Vertical Rhythm – This is the theory that type should be accurately spaced weather it be a list, body copy or H1. Think of a lined sheet of notebook paper, when you write, you stay within the lines. On a website you want to keep the same continuity, but loose the notebook lines. Below is an example of Vertical Rhythm.

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TypeKit – This is a service that hosts hundreds of fonts, on servers all around the world. All you have to do as a designer/frontend developer is…

get an account (free accounts and pay accounts)
use there GUI system to select the type needed for your website
add a line of code your css sheet.
use the name of the font as you would “Times” in your style sheets.

PROS:

All type is selectable in all browsers.
Guaranteed to render in all browsers.
upload speeds are fast, using akamai to serve the fonts.

CONS:

Pay accounts ( Scale is actually quite affordable.)
limited to the fonts in there library. (currently over 350 fonts, always expanding)

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Cufon – This is an application that de-compiles your TrueType (TTF) and OpenType (OTF) to recomplie them into Javascript files. By doing this you can use some javascript code to add the typeface to your website.

PROS:

Retains Vertical Rhythm.
Uses only javascript, a widely used programing language.

CONS:

Does not fully support rollovers on all browsers.
Does not fully support selectable type in all browsers.

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@Font Face – This allows you to use your font file from your own server. When someone goes to your page, the file is downloaded, the page loads with the correct typeface.

PROS:

The font is on your own server.
supports weights (ie bold, italics)

CONS:

This in not supported in any IE version

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Some great links:

FontDeck.com -Up and coming, but not yet released

FontSquirrel.com – Commercially free fonts

TheLeagueofMoveableType.com – Commercially free fonts

MezzoBlue.com – Interesting designer/front-end developer

BecomingAFontEmbeddingMaster – The name says it all

JonTan – A great resource about browser fonts

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NOTE* All fonts are not digitally licensed, even if you already have the font type for your authoring program. meaning, You can design it in Photoshop, but you can not use the font when rendered by a browser. (this does not include any font used with typekit)

Filed under: Resources, FoWD NYC, Typography

October 6, 2009 • 1:00 pm 0

How To Respond Effectively To Design Criticism

http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/10/01/how-to-respond-effectively-to-design-criticism/

This is a useful article on Smashing that will set you straight before presenting to a client. Covers having the right attitude and some other good things to keep in mind

Filed under: Resources, Criticism

September 28, 2009 • 12:19 pm 0