THE LETTER
22 Using display versions

TITLING AND DISPLAY VERSIONS of text type have been designed to look good at display sizes (i.e., above 14 or 16 point); specifically, they have been refined in their details, especially in the design and weight of their serifs. Text typefaces, when enlarged to display sizes, will have thicker details; this is because the letterforms need to hold their own in body type sizes. Thus (depending on the typestyle), they may not translate especially well when enlarged beyond their intended size range. Use titling and display versions whenever possible.

Project
Cover

Company
Hopkins/Baumann

Creative Directors
Will Hopkins and Mary K. Baumann

Images
Corbis, Historical Picture Archive

Client
Kids Discover

This condensed version of Bodoni would be inappropriate if used at text sizes; its tight counter spaces would make it difficult to read. This holds true for the sans serif type: it is too condensed for body copy, but fine for display.

Project
Book cover

Creative Director
Donald Partyka

Client
Barnes & Noble

The delicate terminal strokes of this headline would disappear at text sizes. The typeface has been tailored for display usage.

Project
Book cover

Creative Director
Donald Partyka

Client
Barnes & Noble

The finely wrought ligature between the c and the t of this headline would not be visible at text sizes. The typeface has been tailored for display usage.

Project
Type specimen

Company
Hoefler & Frere-Jones

Designer
Jonathan Hoefler

Client
Hoefler & Frere-Jones

Hoefler Titling is the accompanying display type for Hoefler Text, an old-style typeface with a very broad range of weights.