In a world dominated by digital communication and writing, most of what we type is standardized and appears nearly identical to all text around it. This results in many messages being misinterpreted and the writer’s intentions being misunderstood, as many standardized fonts are missing the emotional components created by talking face to face with someone.

However, despite this issue, different fonts are seldom used, as many people simply stick to traditional typeface, and rarely experiment with how other ones can be utilized. This is ultimately a mistake, as using different fonts has several incredibly important functions that traditional typeface lacks.

EMOTIONS THROUGH FONT

With most communication being online, much of what we type is impersonal, which results in intentions or feelings within the text being lost. When we speak to one another, our emotions are typically plastered on our faces or are found within things such as tone and volume of voices. However, that is not present in online text. It is difficult to detect intentions, feelings, or tone from a string of digital text, as you are unable to see the expression or hear the tone of the person who says it, leading to misinterpretations.

Using different fonts can bypass this issue and help the writer properly present what they want to say. For example, using lighthearted fonts such as Comic Sans can give off an easygoing and relaxed impression to the reader, while a font such as Times New Roman seems more serious. Try experimenting with different fonts when trying to portray emotions that may usually be expressed through your facial expressions or vocal tone

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE SITUATION

When to use different fonts ultimately comes down the situation. Specifically, it is crucial to think about who you are contacting, and what you are contacting them about. For example, if you are contacting your boss about a serious project, it would be smart to use a normal or standard font to appear serious and prepared. In comparison, it would be appropriate to use a more carefree font when contacting a good friend about plans you have together.

In addition to who you are contacting, it is also important to consider what exactly you are writing. Writing an academic paper will require more traditional formatting than an email or blog post, while things such as social media posts can have a more creative utilization of fonts.

SOMETIMES HANDWRITTEN CAN BE BEST

While different fonts can be used in certain situations, a personal handwritten note always does the trick. While standard fonts sent through emails and text messages come across as impersonal, handwritten cards are unique and special.

With the presence of texting and email, handwritten letters have become more special to those who receive them. If you are trying to reach someone on a personal level or want to thank them for something, a handwritten letter could be the perfect way to make a significant and special impact on them.

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