A typeface is a family of related fonts. And just like a family, typefaces comprise different members with distinct characteristics. There are regular-sized, heavy, tall, and small fonts. Condensed fonts are the taller and narrower members of the family.

What are Condensed Fonts?

As fonts build a typeface, their use is categorized based on their characteristics. A condensed font is considered a narrower version of a standard typeface. Its narrow width and tall characters make it a good choice for filling tight spaces or lines of type.

Due to their tall, narrow nature and because the letters are more closely spaced, condensed fonts are known to be more challenging to read than regular-sized fonts. However, this unique characteristic can be leveraged to make a lasting impression on readers.

Pros and Cons of Condensed Fonts

Typography can do a lot for graphic design, like influence, entice, and even put off audiences. That’s why it’s important to recognize its merits and uses. Whether you’re working on an infographic, signage, web design, or any graphic design project, you can find a use for condensed fonts. 

However, you must understand a font’s strengths and weaknesses before using it. Here are the pros and cons of condensed fonts you should consider:

Pros:

• Save space — If you’re working on a project requiring a limited line or space, condensed fonts are a viable option. You can put up to twice as much copy in the same space using condensed fonts than regular typefaces.
• Good for subheadings — Using subheaders is a great way to break the monotony of text in a long piece of writing. Combining headers and condensed fonts can give your audience a much-needed breather when facing a block of text in your design.
• Can decorate headlines — Condensed fonts can add visual appeal to a site or page. If used with few words, the tall letters can make headlines pop. This is a great way to make headlines or short lines of text on a page more noticeable, especially when intentionally spaced out.
• Provide contrast — Tall lettering can emphasize an idea or tagline in graphic design. It can also be used to make a comparison between important points and less significant ones. Using a different font for titles can make your website stand out and appear less serious.
• Introduce modern visual elements — Due to their tall and narrow nature, condensed fonts can add a modern or stylish look to your design. They can be great for stand-alone texts that can help grab your audience’s attention.

Cons:

• Unreadable with a small size — If you’re working with lots of text, you might want to avoid using them. Using small sizes and cramming as much text into a line as possible spells disaster for your site’s readability.
• Can make lines look cluttered — When used correctly, condensed fonts can bring a short line of text to life. If overused, it can make even a short sentence look like a chore. Stringing too many words using a condensed font can make your design look cluttered and disorganized.

Examples of Condensed Fonts

Some examples include:

• Helvetica Condensed
• League Gothic
• Arial Narrow
• Garamond Narrow
• Futura Condensed

There are more examples out there which can be downloaded for free. It’s wise to look at which fonts you can use for websites, products, and commercial purposes since some have specific permissions. Other fonts for desktop and web use must also be purchased for various applications.

Tips and Tricks

There are ways to leverage condensed fonts to improve legibility and design styles. You just need to know when and how to use them to make your work stand out. Here are some tips if you’re planning to use them:

1. Use condensed fonts sparingly

Condensed fonts are a great way to accentuate or complement your site’s overall design. They can do more than just emphasize lines you want to pop out from the screen. As stated above, tall and narrow fonts can be used for headers, subheaders, and titles.

It can be easy to get too excited when using a font for the first time. Limit the use of condensed fonts to maximize their effect. Sometimes, less really is more.

2. Increase the size

Condensed fonts get their shock value from their height. Take advantage of this and increase the size appropriately. Scale your titles or interesting lines to make them look appealing. 

Increasing your font size is an effective way to emphasize a section or line of text. Remember to add a little spacing between the letters to account for the font’s tight tolerances.

3. Choose color combinations that work

Your font choice is already bold and in-your-face. Use color combinations that complement it to bring out the letters more. You want your audience to see the text and what it says. Putting too much color or using the wrong shades can make your design awkward.

4. Use plain backgrounds

As you try to make your design stand out, you might be tempted to add a few elements to the background that can add clutter and noise. Steer clear from busy backgrounds and use a plain one instead.

You already have tall letters to work with. Make those the prominent elements of your design instead of adding a background so tacky that it chases away your site’s visitors.

5. Use in tables or charts

Condensed fonts can add neatness to a design if used properly. Try using them if you’re working on an infographic, table, or chart. These fonts can organize your text and optimize your space to make the content easier to digest.

Again, use a few words for different blocks of text and increase the font size if needed. Keep things tidy and sophisticated, especially when working with facts and figures.

A Time and Place for Everything

Like with most things, there’s a time and place for using condensed fonts. Knowing when and how to use them will enable you to bring life to a line of text or create a story using your font choice.

Condensed fonts have their merits. You must understand what they can do and know the appropriate time to use them. Try using them on trial projects and see which fonts and approaches work for you. There’s no harm in trying.

The post What are Condensed Fonts and Why You Should Use Them appeared first on Designerly.

You might have encountered the multisite feature if you have a WordPress website. While this configuration can offer great benefits, it is not suitable for everyone. Here is a beginner’s guide for utilizing a WordPress multisite.

What Is a WordPress Multisite?

A WordPress(WP) multisite is a configuration that allows for the creation and management of multiple websites from a single dashboard. This advanced feature was first introduced with WordPress 3.0.

There are many reasons why users decide to implement a WP multisite configuration. It allows the owner to change and update all the websites from one area. This is a much better fit for a company than creating separate WordPress websites for all of the services they have.

When comparing a multisite configuration against separate website installations, it saves significant server space. In addition, this feature is also more cost-effective and reduces time.

For example, it is cheaper for an organization to utilize WP multisite than to design multiple WordPress websites. It is also a lot faster compared to the time it takes to professionally design and develop a single site.

A popular site using the multisite feature is the WordPress website itself. Users create their own subsites on the platform, such as blogging sites.

The Role of a Super Admin

In addition to the five roles a standard WordPress website offers — Author, editor, contributor, administrator and subscriber — it also adds another role called a super admin or a network administrator.

When a WordPress installation switches to a multisite configuration, the administrator becomes the new super admin. The super admin is the one who controls all the connected subsites on the network.

A multisite configuration does bring in some changes. One noticeable difference is that regular admins can no longer install themes or plug-ins on the website. Only the network administrator can do this. However, normal admins can choose to enable or deactivate them if they wish to do so.

In terms of displaying content, there is no significant change. The super admin can manage content across all the websites, but the regular administrator can choose whether they want it to appear on their site.

In addition, while a multisite configuration does share all plugins and themes, it is not the case for media items. Each site will use its own media upload directories to store items. For example, the images uploaded to one of the connected sites will not be accessible on the others.

The Main Features, Benefits and Drawbacks of a WordPress Multisite

Before deciding if a WordPress multisite is the right option, it is worth knowing all its benefits, drawbacks and key features. Here is a short summary:

Main Features:

• Can manage multiple websites or blogs from a single WordPress installation.
• Create subsites under one WordPress Installation using the same database and hosting account.
• Create separate sub-domains for each subsite or have a network of sub-domains.
• All subsites use the same plug-ins and themes.

Benefits:

• The super admin can manage the websites from a single dashboard and does require logging into each site individually to make changes.
• Can manage all connected website updates.
• Can install and manage all the plugins for all the subsites — they all use the same ones, but you can choose to deactivate some of them.
• In addition to the super admin, regular administrators can still effectively manage their respective websites.

Drawbacks:

• Effectively managing a WP multisite configuration can prove challenging for many users.
• If one website’s security is compromised, the entire network of sites suffers.
• If your hosting provider does not have the option to add a domain to the same server, you can’t use a multisite setup.
• If something happens to the network, all the sites will experience downtime.
• Not all plugins integrate with a WP multisite configuration.

Who Should Use a WordPress Multisite?

Since the feature was released, many businesses have started utilizing it. However, while a WordPress multisite configuration offers many associated advantages, not everyone will benefit from it. Here is a summary to show who and who shouldn’t use this feature.

Five Cases When To Make Use of a WordPress Multisite

Five Cases When Not to Use a WordPress Multisite

1. Your hosting budget does not allow for it. Most hosting sites charge on the number of visitors. If you have multiple sites, you will require the capabilities for more visitors, meaning you will need to upgrade your hosting plan.
2. You want to use individual plugins and themes for each site. While you can still do this to a certain degree on a WordPress multisite integration, it could become unnecessarily difficult to manage.
3. You don’t want to make the necessary security changes or can’t afford it. For example, some hosting providers only offer a free SSL certificate for the main website.
4. This means you will need to pay additional charges for the subsites. Even if only one of the subsites does not have an SSL certificate, it can compromise the entire network’s security.
5. You are not an experienced WordPress developer and can’t afford a professional to do it. Enabling a WP multisite configuration could present itself as a challenging task for non-WordPress developers. If you don’t have the capital to hire someone, perhaps it’s better to examine alternative options.
6. All the websites differ from each other and have different designs features or functionality.

4 Steps To Install a WordPress Multisite

The official WordPress website has a great guide on how to set up a WP multisite, but here is a quick rundown you can follow.

1. Have Everything Ready For the Switch

Go over all the settings required to make the switch. Ensure you are the administrator, the hosting you have will suffice, all plugins are up to date and you can access the core files for each site. Remember to back up your site if anything should go wrong.

2. Add The Required Code

The next step is to add the required code. Using file transfer protocol (FTP) software, go to the core files and select wp-config.php. option.

From here, look for the line of code that says, “That’s all, stop editing! Happy publishing. */. ”
After you have found the line, post the following code above it.

/* Multisite */
define( ‘WP_ALLOW_MULTISITE’, true );

Restart the browser to continue.

3. Perform the Network Setup

Next, move to your dashboard and select network setup under the tools tab. From here, you can choose whether to use a sub-domain or sub-directory. You can change it again later if you want.

4. Activate the Network

Afterward, follow all the instructions carefully and save between each of them. You can click the login button once you have successfully edited every line. Under the network admin, you can now see all your websites — under the “My Sites” option.

A Game Changer

With all the advantages a WordPress multi-configuration can bring, it is no wonder the feature has become so popular. The main selling point is it allows you to manage all your websites from one dashboard instead of logging in to each site individually. While many WordPress users will never require this feature, it is a game changer for the select few that do.

The post The Beginner’s Guide to a WordPress Multisite appeared first on Designerly.

Weebly website designer is one of many platforms you can use to build your website, but is it worth trying out? With so many web design options available today, it can be hard to find the best one for you. This guide covers all the pros and cons of Weebly, its pricing system and a few alternatives to consider. 

What is Weebly? 

Weebly is a code-free website builder and hosting service. You can use it to purchase a domain, host a website, and create and customize sites for everything from blogging to e-commerce. Thanks to a collaboration with Square, Weebly has become a top choice for creating online stores. 

Weebly Pricing Tiers

Weebly offers a few different pricing tiers, all of which are very affordable. It starts with a free tier anyone can use, which includes a generous amount of features. It’s worth noting websites made with the free tier have a “.weebly” label at the end of their web address. If you want to remove it, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan. 

There are three paid subscription tiers on Weebly: Personal, Professional and Performance. The Personal plan starts at $10 per month. It allows you to customize your domain name and adds some premium features like a shipping calculator and shipping label generator. 

The Professional plan starts at $12 per month. It includes everything in the Personal plan plus some additional features geared towards small businesses. These features include advanced site statistics, ad removal and a domain at no extra cost. 

Finally, the Performance plan starts at $26 per month. It includes everything in the Professional plan along with some premium e-commerce features. One particularly advantageous feature is the ability to accept payments through PayPal, which is not available on lower pricing tiers. 

Pros of Weebly

Why should you use Weebly website designer rather than similar services or custom web design? There are a few benefits worth considering. Key among them is price. Weebly is very affordable, even among other no-code web design platforms. Most website builders have a free plan, but Weebly’s is more generous and less restrictive than other free alternatives. 

Additionally, Weebly is great for e-commerce. Their collaboration with Square resulted in a robust set of tools for online businesses, particularly small businesses. The combination of advanced site statistics and versatile shop tools makes Weebly a good option for online businesses that are new to web design. 

Weebly’s theme library is smaller than that of Wix or WordPress, but the themes they do have are clean and responsive. So, there may be fewer customization options but the simplicity and reliability of the available themes may be helpful for beginners. Page editing and theme swapping tends to be quick and easy, as well. 

Cons of Weebly

Weebly isn’t for everyone. It has certain limitations and drawbacks that make it less ideal for some users. For example, the limited theme customization is one of its biggest disadvantages compared to other website builders, let alone custom web design. Weebly has fewer pre-built themes than alternative platforms, as well. 

Weebly website designer is also rather limited in long-term flexibility. It is extremely difficult to migrate your website from Weebly to any other platform, including WordPress. A significant amount of the process is manual since these website builder platforms don’t have cross-compatibility with one another. 

This might not be a concern for beginner web designers, but it’s worth considering if you plan to grow your website. While Weebly does have some great features, there are plenty of reasons someone might want to migrate their site away from Weebly. If this is a concern for you, you may want to look at other web design options. 

Finally, the mobile page generation on Weebly sites could be better. Pages look good on desktop, but the translation to a smaller screen often leads to lackluster mobile sites. 

This is especially important for e-commerce sites since surveys show 76% of consumers are buying goods on their smartphones. A poorly optimized mobile site could significantly impact a business’s impression with mobile shoppers. 

Alternatives: WordPress, Wix, GoDaddy

Weebly is ideal for people who are new to web design or website builders as well as anyone who wants to make a website for free. Its design and features are very beginner-friendly and the paid tiers are all affordably priced. 

However, there are a variety of reasons why Weebly might not be the best option for you. If you’re looking for an alternative to Weebly website designer, you have a few options. 

One obvious choice is WordPress. While it may be a bit more intimidating for beginners, WordPress is a much more robust hosting and web design option than basic site builders like Weebly. It has thousands of themes to choose from, tons of compatible third party plugins, a huge community of users and the versatility to adapt as a business or site grows. 

If you’re looking for another website builder with a little more flexibility and variety, take a look at Wix. It’s a bit more expensive than Weebly but offers hundreds of themes, so there’s a lot more design variety. All paid plans on Wix also include a free domain. Wix has more compatible third party integrations than Weebly, as well. 

Another alternative website builder is GoDaddy, which is especially good for ecommerce websites. GoDaddy includes more themes than Weebly, although customization is limited. It’s great for anyone who wants to get their site up and running as fast as possible while still delivering a good UX. GoDaddy also has more SEO tools and better mobile performance compared to Weebly. 

Who Should Use Weebly Website Designer? 

Weebly is best suited for web design beginners and small businesses. It is very beginner-friendly with affordable pricing and an approachable interface. Weebly’s simplicity makes it easy to use but also limits the potential for growth and customization. So, growing businesses, large organizations and users who want more design freedom may be better served with a different web design platform.

The post Weebly Website Designer Pros and Cons appeared first on Designerly.

Website backgrounds are something that many people don’t think about when it comes to design. Typically, they pay more attention to other website components to ensure they’re usable, on brand and look great. Though background designs don’t always get as much attention as other parts of a site, they are just as important. 

Backgrounds on a website were plain in the beginning. Yet, now they have a more engaging effect to keep users attracted to the look of your site. From colors to images, a perfect background makes all the difference in a visitor’s experience. However, designers must use the right techniques to keep site users returning for more.

The Importance of a Strong Background Design

A good background design is crucial for several reasons. For one, they enhance the navigability of the website. Backgrounds with strategic creations help users know where to look and what to do on a site. When a website guides visitors, they stay longer — which is great for SEO and retaining users. 

Another reason that backgrounds are important is that brands need to enhance their awareness. Companies need to have a distinct look online. With all of the similar products and services offered on the internet, it can be challenging to stand out. However, branding attracts the right people — certain aesthetics or colors can serve this purpose. 

Plus, different businesses need special backgrounds. An e-commerce clothing store for young girls would choose fun and colorful backgrounds. On the other hand, a bank would have something simple and professional.

Moreover, this piece of your website tells part of your brand’s story and who you are as a company. When visitors first land on the homepage, they can immediately understand what your company is all about. So, choosing the right background is essential for any business.

Different Background Design Techniques to Try

Website background designs can come in many variations. However, the one you use will depend on your business and audience needs. 

1. Try a Hero Image Background

A hero image background is a large, eye-catching photo or graphic covering a website’s top part. It’s often the first thing people see when they visit a site. When people land on the homepage, the image of the background sets the mood, grabbing the attention of visitors and telling them a little about the business or website. 

It’s like the cover of a book where it gives you a quick idea of the story inside. Hero image backgrounds are useful, as they effectively engage the visitor and make your site bold and beautiful. 

When using a hero image, make sure it’s high quality and relates to your site’s main idea. You want to be sure you’re depicting the site’s main message clearly so you immediately show visitors who you serve. 

Additionally, the image should be clean and simple. Any text or buttons should contrast well with the background. In other words, be sure the hero image complements instead of competes with your site’s content.

2. Use Gradients

A gradient background is when one color smoothly changes to another color. It could be something like the sky at sunset, where blue transitions into pink. However, you can use any color combination you desire. 

Designers use gradients because they can give a website a modern, sophisticated look. They’re also useful in guiding a visitor’s eyes to important site elements, such as a sign-up button or special message. Therefore, they’re great for creating focal points for the audience. 

Gradient backgrounds are great for capturing your audience’s attention, but choose colors wisely. Be sure to choose ones that go well together and fit your website’s mood. A sudden change from bright green to dark blue could be too jarring. 

Yet, you also want the background to be subtle. If it’s too bright or bold, the look can distract visitors, so it’s important to let your design breathe. 

3. Consider Patterns

Pattern background designs are repeating shapes. The pattern could be geometric, where shapes with different angles and lines fall seamlessly in a symmetrical line. The way the pattern looks is up to you. However, many site owners use this look because it adds depth, personality and a specific feel.

It can make a site seem elegant and fun or simple and professional. Either way, the consistency of a repeating pattern looks aesthetically pleasing to the eye. 

If you choose to go with a pattern, make sure it’s simple enough that it doesn’t take the visitor away from the site’s main purpose. It’s a good idea to choose muted colors and subtle looks. 

Also, it’s important that you ensure the text is easy to read. It can easily overwhelm the user if the overall design is unbalanced.

4. Bring Your Website to Life With Animation

Website backgrounds with animation are fun. They bring parts of a website to life with movement. These types of background designs make your website attractive and high-quality looking. They can make for a great user experience, too. 

That’s why animated backgrounds are useful. They grab attention and make a website feel dynamic. When done right, you can immerse the visitors and make them feel like they’re stepping into a live story.

Plus, motion graphics are on trend, and they can immediately tell visitors about your brand in a captivating way. 

When using animation, ensure it plays in the background smoothly. A slow-moving video provides a pleasant experience. Yet, before you launch your site, make sure you check to see how it looks and functions on different devices. Doing so ensures it works properly and creates a great user experience for everyone. 

5. Go Simple With a Solid Background

A solid background is always a go-to design choice. It uses only one color without any patterns, textures or animations. 

Solid background designs make an excellent choice because they’re simple, clean and direct focus. Such backgrounds ensure the site’s message or products stand out clearly without distractions. They guarantee your website’s content is legible and the contrast has the right balance.

When choosing a color for your solid background, consider the emotions or feelings you want to convey. For instance, blue can feel calm and trustworthy, while red may be bold and energetic. 

Always use a color that complements the overall design and branding. You want to ensure the user can see the other site pieces clearly but still create an impression you want to give.

The Website Background Design Choice Is Yours

These website background design techniques are the most popular choices you’ll see today. However, various other options live in the design world. When creating your website, choose one that helps you stand out. Doing so will differentiate your platform from others and make it more memorable. Yet, it should also align with your brand’s aesthetics and make sense for your business goals.

The post Boost Your Website’s Look With 5 Background Design Techniques appeared first on Designerly.

How do different paper sizes work? Maybe you’ve seen paper marked as “A4” or “B5”. These labels are part of standardized paper sizing systems that simplify printing, manufacturing and design. Learning how different paper sizes work can help you make sure your graphic design projects fit the right paper size and look great after printing. 

What Are the Different Paper Sizes?

When you see different paper sizes, you might notice they are often labeled with a combination of letters and numbers, such as A6 or B4. These codes are part of internationally standardized paper sizing systems, specifically the ISO 216 standards. 

These standard sizes allow many manufacturers to make paper products that are compatible with one another and familiar to customers. For instance, one company could make a B5 compatible binder while a different company makes B5 size paper and both could rest assured that customers could use the two products together. 

What are the different paper sizes, though? How do they work? 

A Series Sizes

The first group of internationally standardized paper sizes is the A size range. The A sizes run A0 to A10. They’re determined by the height and width of a single sheet of paper. Each size has the same proportions but different measurements. Since this is an international standard, sizes are calculated in metric millimeters. 

A sizes start with the A0, which is 841 x 1189 millimeters. The A1 size is a piece of A0 paper folded in half to make two sheets that each measure 594 x 841 millimeters. 

The A2 size is a piece of A1 paper folded in half, and so on down to A10 size. A good rule of thumb is that as the number after the A label gets larger, the paper size gets smaller. So, a sheet of A5 paper is smaller than a sheet of A4 paper. 

A4, A5 and A6 are the most commonly used A series paper sizes. 

B Series Sizes

The B series of paper sizes is like half sizes in footwear. It was designed to add a wider array of paper sizes by creating sheets that are between standard A sizes. So, as a general rule, B sizes fall between the two nearest A sizes numerically. 

For example, one sheet of B5 paper will be slightly larger than a sheet of A5 paper but slightly smaller than a sheet of A4 paper. B sizes run a bit larger than A sizes of the same number. So, a sheet of B5 paper will be larger than a sheet of A5 paper. 

B sizes are most popular in European and Asian regions, so North American consumers are often not familiar with them. 

B sizing gets somewhat complicated with Japanese stationery in particular. Japan uses their own version of the B size series that doesn’t exactly match the ISO standard B size measurements. Japanese B size papers are slightly larger, often denoted with the label “semi”, such as semi-B5. 

As a result of the slight international differences in the B size range, B size stationery can vary from one product to another. However, it is generally all close in size. If you need B size paper to fit precisely, such as for a binder or envelope, always double check the exact measurements of a specific product. 

C Series Sizes

The C series size range is not actually for paper, but rather for envelopes. So, if you are looking for different paper sizes and encounter a C size label, be aware that the product is actually an envelope. 

Conveniently, C size envelopes are made for corresponding A size sheets of paper. For instance, if you want to mail a piece of A5 paper, it will always fit in a C5 size envelope. 

North American Sizes

The paper size most people are familiar with is US letter size. This is one of four standard paper sizes used mainly in North America. The closest international standard size is A4, although the two sizes are not the same. 

US letter size paper is slightly shorter and wider than A4 paper. Sometimes this doesn’t matter. However, if you’re printing something, it can make a difference since some content could get cut off if printed on the wrong paper size. 

In addition to US letter, the North American paper sizes also include junior legal, legal and ledger. Junior legal size paper is slightly smaller than letter size while legal size is slightly larger. Ledger paper, also known as “tabloid”, is larger than legal size. 

Uses for Different Paper Sizes

What do you use different paper sizes for? Each standard size has popular uses. For example, A4, A5, B5 and A6 are all commonly used in school and office stationery. A4 or US letter size is standard for folders and larger notebooks while A6 and B5 are both popular for smaller notebooks. 

Among the North American paper sizes, letter size is the standard for most folders and notebooks as well as print materials like small posters or flyers. Ledger or tabloid size paper, measuring 11 x 17 inches, is popular for medium sized posters, such as business flyers or local event ads. 

A3, A4 and A5 sizes are popular for small and medium sized paper goods, such as books, cards, calendars and magazines. The smallest A series sizes, A6 through A10, are used for things like pocket sized notebooks, photos, labels or stickers. 

How to Choose the Right Paper Size

The complex standards behind different paper sizes may sound complicated. However, choosing the right paper size really comes down to your end user. Do they need to carry the paper product with them, like a pocket notebook? Or is the paper product going to stay in one place, like a poster? 

Taking some time to think about these questions can help you select the right paper size. Remember, both A and B series sizes get larger as their number gets smaller. 

The post Different Paper Sizes: Letter, A4, B5 and More Explained appeared first on Designerly.

One of the best ways to incorporate good vibes and nostalgia into a design is using an 8-bit font. They evoke whimsy and fun that sans and serif will never be able to compete with. Despite 8-bit’s apparent rigidity, they’re wonderfully versatile and distinct. These are some of the best 8-bit fonts on the market with varying price ranges. Challenge yourself to incorporate them into your designs and advertisements — even if it isn’t for a video game or arcade.

1. Daydream

The font looks like what it claims — it doesn’t have the stark angles of traditional video games but rounded edges that look like a video game daydream. The softer edges combined with the identifiable square edges resemble Nintendo clouds. It’s an ideal option if you’re looking for something more lighthearted, whether for a book jacket or banner ad.

Cost: Free

2. Early GameBoy

Nintendo fans would recognize these pixels immediately. As the name suggests, the font replicates the style of the original GameBoy from Nintendo. Even if you never played one yourself, the quintessential thin and thick weighted letters are easy to read yet playful. It includes an entire number set with limited special characters, but it’s enough for more minimal designs.

Cost: Free

3. Pixtile

This font marries a few classic hobbies — video gaming and sewing. The shapes resemble old cross-stitching and textile patterns, which gives it its punny name. It is more malleable to a wide range of design intents because it isn’t inherently associated with video games and merely consists of pixelated squares. 

Cost: Free

4. 8-Bit Arcade

The name of this one hints more about its on-the-nose inspiration. You could see this appear on 80’s video game cabinets in retro films or at your nearest barcade. The 8-bit arcade-style is a dream for aspiring video game designers trying to keep the classic style alive and well. It maintains a strictly uppercase lineup with bold, wide shapes that work well for outlining or jazzing up with color.

Cost: Free

5. Retro Kiddo

Imagine you blended 80’s video games with a 90’s aesthetic — in that beautiful stylistic medium, you get Retro Kiddo. The kit comes with multiple color variants in eye-catching color palettes. One is seafoam letters with yellow and purple outline detailing, and the other is yellow letters with more blurred pink and purple outlines. Designers have all the vectors they need to craft a perfect t-shirt or social media banner.

Cost: $15 for desktop

6. Birch Leaf

Imagine you put in a floppy disk or CD-ROM, depending on your age. You open a fantasy game that starts in a tavern, and it regales you about your adventure. This is the font that represents that energy. The designer of Birch Leaf wanted to exude that vintage charm with its 8-bit style and curly accents. This font contains upper and lowercase letters. The flourish is mainly in the capitals, allowing more outstanding readability. 

Cost: Free

7. Wayfarer’s Toy Box

Wayfarer’s Toy Box has enough intrigue to separate it from other 8-bit fonts. Its interesting angles and unintuitive directions make it unique while still being approachable. The modern style makes it feel old and new at the same time, a perfect bridge for designers who want the aesthetic without going too classic.

Cost: Free for personal, subscription-based pricing for obtaining a commercial license 

8. Vermin Vibes 1989

Vermin Vibes 1989 has an edginess other 8-bit fonts just don’t have. The sleek angles give designers more options on how to angle it. You could make the font look good horizontally or turn it against triangle vectors for an even cooler appearance. The sharpness of the letters makes almost any orientation feel intentional. The white space in the E’s and R’s make it easier on the eyes, especially with the font’s thickness. 

Cost: Free for personal, subscription-based pricing for obtaining a commercial license 

9. Johto

Named after the original location of Pokémon, the Johto font resembles the old games while being simplistic enough not to put itself into a box. Avid gamers will recognize the indiscriminate pixels by their width and shape, but for regular observers, it is a simplistic 8-bit font that’s easy to manipulate. The font family has several variants, including Mono and Sans Regular, if you’re curious how it looks with different spacing and height.

Cost: $21 per style

10. 04b_30

Meet the brainchild of bubble letters and 8-bit. It has similar roundness to Daydream, but 04b_30 is straighter and has details that make it appear like the bubble shapes have a reflection for more personality. The font shows off its quirky numbers and how they differ in size from the letters. Its peculiar proportions add pizzazz to any design, immediately making it memorable to any viewer.

Cost: Free

11. Pixel 2

Pixel 2 is a highly customizable font, which lends itself to be slightly more restrictive. It is a scalable vector graphics (SVG) font. 

SVGs are only compatible with particular versions of Photoshop and some Mac computers, so check these specs against your preferred machine and tools first before downloading. Despite the limitations, the format allows for more creative edits in its grid-style letters. Add gradients for compelling branding and drop shadow accents to make it stand out on any background.

Cost: Requires subscription to download

12. Minecraft

It is another font that speaks for itself — the famous font used in Minecraft. Just because it is for a specific game doesn’t mean you can’t find creative ways to employ it in a design. If anything, it will make game-savvy customers attach themselves to art because of the association. Much like a few other fonts on this list, it is plain enough to where it doesn’t impact the viewer’s experience of the font if they don’t know where it is from. It has more memorable characters than other 8-bit fonts, so if you need that, this is the font for you.

Cost: Free

13. Crang

The left-justified lines of Crang give it structure and flair. Similar to Vermin Vibes 1989, it leverages angles to give it character. However, this font is thinner. It doesn’t take up as much space on the page as other 8-bit font styles. It has a whopping 693 characters, including every accent and symbol you could ever want.

Cost: Free

14. Pixel Bit

Pixel Bit gives an airy, sci-fi twist to the 8-bit structure. It blends thick, black lines with extra pixels that make the letters look like they are dissolving. They are spaced far enough apart to where the stylistic choice doesn’t detract from its clarity. The package includes the option to make the extra pixels come from any direction. It is perfect for merchandise, or even light animations that could make the pixels look like they’re floating. It is an innovative version of 8-bit fonts designers could have a lot of fun with, especially with personalizing the floating pixels.

Cost: Requires subscription to download

Get Retro With a Nostalgic 8-Bit Font

8-bit fonts are not exclusive to video games but give that comforting atmosphere. It also encompasses more than squares and sharp edges, though these are trademarks. Modern reimaginings give this style new life for designers inside and outside the gaming industry for never-before-seen interpretations of the classic style. How creative can you be?

The post 14 8-Bit Fonts for Classic Video Game Aesthetics appeared first on Designerly.

Have you ever gone on vacation and brought home a stack of brochures to commemorate your trip? Perhaps you grabbed a brochure from a doctor’s office to learn more about the latest treatment or medication. One might be surprised to learn these sleek pamphlets aren’t as pricey as they think. In fact, companies can use free brochure design tools to create their marketing materials on the cheap.

Brochures are effective for building brand awareness and attracting new customers. Companies use print or digital brochures to introduce their brand, services, and products to the public.

Marketers can find numerous free brochure designs online, enabling them to customize their pamphlets according to their brand aesthetic. Let’s dive into creating a cost-effective brochure to spotlight your brand further. 

Why Create Brochures?

Brochures might be the easiest way to get the word out about your brand’s mission and offerings. According to The International Association of Visitor Information Providers, 35% of readers share brochures with friends and family. Overall, one printed brochure will circulate among 3.5 readers. 

In a world heavily saturated with digital advertising, brochures are well-liked among marketers and consumers alike. For one thing, they are easy to distribute. You can distribute leaflets to targeted individuals, adding a personal touch to your tangible marketing initiatives. 

Brochures also encourage interaction between customers and businesses, allowing you to go into detail about what makes your brand and its offerings unique.

Some industries benefit from brochures more than others, such as the following:

• Health and wellness: Deliver information about a medicine, treatment plan, or preventative measure
• Automotive: Advertise a specific car model and its specifications
• Retail: Showcase new products and provide coupons, discounts, and sale information
• Real estate: Highlight newly listed homes and recently sold properties in your area
• Higher education: Inform prospective students about a college’s program offerings, campus details, and contact information
• Hospitality: Entice visitors with high-quality imagery of hotels, excursions, restaurants, and festivals
• Travel: Encourage tourists to some of the most remarkable destinations on Earth

A 2018 Bentley University survey showed 85% of people learned about a business or attraction from a brochure, while 61% intended to buy tickets or products they read about. Another 73% said brochures would encourage them to change their travel plans.

Free Brochure Design Templates: A Starting Point

Many websites offer free brochure design templates — but it’s only a starting point. Creating an eye-catching brochure means you must put your creativity to the test. 

Look for graphic design tools with plenty of customization options to integrate your brand’s color scheme, fonts, and overall aesthetics. Consistency between your brand and brochure ensures familiarity with consumers. 

A clean layout also matters — 61% of website visitors will not return if prime user experience is lacking. The same goes for printed marketing materials. You want to impress readers with a clean, readable brochure so they can get all their information quickly.

The type of brochure you’re interested in creating is also an important consideration. There are several types of brochures you can choose from, including the following:

• Introductory: Introduces critical information for readers to learn about your company, products, and services
• Informational: Provides detailed information or instructions about a specific product or service
• Menus: Ideal for users to order takeout and delivery from a restaurant
• Maps: Directs readers throughout campuses, campgrounds, offices, or other locations they may be unfamiliar with 

Of course, the type of pamphlet you choose should coincide with the correct format. For instance, brochures are often folded in accordion style, bi- or tri-folds, single- or double-open gate folds, or something else. 

What About Digital Brochures?

Many companies publish promotional and informational brochures online as live documents, downloads, or gated and ungated content.

While printed materials tend to be more personal, digital brochures allow you to incorporate other media like video, audio, quizzes, and other interactive features.

Brands might turn to digital “pamphlets” to tell their story in an engaging and visually pleasing manner. Savvy creators lean into user experience to improve navigation and presentation, making viewing more memorable and exciting for readers. 

You can also measure and track your success, gaining insight into essential customer behaviors. For instance, your brochure might accumulate views and shares, enabling you to adapt your content as necessary.

5 Free Brochure Design Websites 

If you’re interested in maximizing promotional materials for your brand, you’re in luck. Access to free brochure design templates is merely a click away. Tap into these five graphic design tools to create a brochure that will resonate with your target audience.

1. Canva

Canva has quickly become one of the top graphic design tools for generating promotional materials, ensuring a more straightforward process for designing and distributing brochures than ever before. 

Create an account and search through the different brochure templates. Once you’ve found the right one, customize it by adding some of Canva’s 2 million graphics and order your prints.

2. Microsoft Word

Did you know you can create brochures in a Microsoft Word document? Select “File” and “New” to search for brochure templates ideal for your business goals.

You can also create a brochure template manually by modifying the page orientation from “portrait” to “landscape.” Then, adjust the page size under “Size” and “Page Layout.” Tri-fold brochures are typically 8.5 x 11 inches or 11 x 17 inches.

3. Vista Create

Vista Create has hundreds of premade brochure templates for you to choose from for your print marketing materials. What appeals most to creators is the site’s library of 70 million royalty-free photos, videos and vector graphics. 

Business accounts can also add up to 10 team members to collaborate on brochures and other promotional documents. 

4. Adobe Express

Create a free Adobe Express account to customize your brand’s ideal brochure design. Adobe Express offers hundreds of templates for various industries and a wide range of royalty-free Adobe Stock images.

Those who want to apply their brand identity to all future marketing materials can upgrade to the Adobe Express Premium plan. With a membership, you can automatically add logos, colors, and fonts people will recognize.

5. Google Docs

Google Docs presents a unique ability for you to collaborate with your team to create a free brochure. Like Microsoft Word, Google Docs has premade brochure templates you can customize. 

Invite team members to the document to share their ideas and make necessary changes. Sometimes, multiple heads are better than one when creating engaging promotional materials. 

Tips for Creating an Effective Brochure

Your brochure must be attractive, concise and accurate if you want people to read it. As such, there’s a correct way to create an influential pamphlet. Keep the following tips in mind as you begin layout your free brochure design template:

• Determine your brochure’s purpose — to introduce, inform, or direct.
• Write excellent copy, ensuring it provides all the necessary information.
• Include a call to action to tell readers what they should do next.
• Choose fonts wisely and limit yourself to one or two.
• Select high-quality images.
• Proofread and edit everything, from content to media.
• Know where your brochure’s folds are.
• Decide what type of stock paper to print it on.

A Captivating Brochure Design Will Make the Rounds

If you choose the best brochure design for your brand, it will make the rounds among numerous people. Start viewing your marketing materials as artwork to ensure you end up with a product you’re proud of.

The post Building Brand Awareness With Free Brochure Design Templates appeared first on Designerly.

Infographics have become a staple in the online world. You’ll often spot them on social media, breaking down complex data into visually appealing and digestible formats. While nothing beats a tailor-made infographic by a skilled designer, there are times when budget constraints and tight schedules call for a quicker solution. That’s where an infographic maker steps in.

While these tools may have limitations, they provide a fast way to craft eye-catching graphics for your audience. If you’re curious about the leading infographic makers this year, use this list below.

1. Visme

Visme is an excellent infographic maker, popular for its large collection of templates for various content needs — from timelines to statistical information. Its user-friendly interface ensures even beginners can get started and produce professional-quality designs. 

Yet, what truly sets Visme apart is the tools at your disposal. Easily sync color pallets, choose complementary fonts and integrate videos with only a few clicks. Visme allows amateur designs to become expert creations, streamlining the process for everyone.

Pros

• Extensive template library catering to diverse needs.
• User-friendly for beginners and pros.
• Seamless integration of multimedia elements like videos.
• 100MB for storage.

Cons

• Some advanced features may be locked behind a premium paywall.
• Limited stock of images and GIFs.

2. Canva

Canva is a leading name in graphic design tools — notably popular among non-professionals for its user-centric approach. While it offers many design templates, infographics are among the top categories.

The platform has a knack for social media, offering templates tailored for various platforms. Therefore, it makes sharing your creations seamless. This focus on social media integration and features like scheduling and workflow make it a top choice, especially for enterprise users. 

Beyond its design tools, Canva gives users educational content featuring tutorials, articles and courses at zero cost.

Pros

• Wide variety of templates, especially for infographics.
• Made for easy social media sharing and scheduling.
• No account creation is required to start creating content.
• Download content in various formats, including PNG, PDF and JPG.
• Up to 5GB of storage for free, 100GB for Pro and unlimited for Enterprise.

Cons

• Premium templates are restricted to paying users.
• Can be slightly overwhelming for first-time users due to its extensive features.

3. Venngage

Venngage positions itself as a free infographic tool. Though, it’s important to know that “free” isn’t all-encompassing here. Many of the templates are available for payment.

Venngage is more than an infographic maker — users can craft flyers, presentations and other visual content. A unique feature of Venngage is its initial questionnaire so that it can understand the purpose of your design. It then prompts users to pick from sample designs to gauge preferred styles.

Based on these choices, it suggests templates that can sometimes feel generic. For those new to the platform, Venngage offers a handy walkthrough to navigate its features.

Pros

• Infographic templates are categorical, from statistical data to timelines.
• Many design elements to choose from, like videos, photos and icons.

Cons

• Free versions have watermarks on the design.
• No available downloads for free users.
• Size options are slightly limited.

4. Piktochart

Piktochart is a versatile infographic maker, enabling users to translate information into captivating designs. You can also use Piktochart for more than infographics — it offers the flexibility to craft presentations, reports and flyers. Piktochart is easy to use, so it’s accessible for beginners and experienced users. 

Its collection of templates provides a good starting point, allowing users to pick and customize according to their needs. While Piktochart’s toolkit is fairly robust, the platform’s simplicity and ease of use often win users over.

Pros

• Intuitive design interface for all skill levels.
• Various design options for infographics.
• A wide template collection for quick starts.

Cons

• You can only get two free downloads.
• Some of the best templates and tools come at a premium.
• Downloads only come in PNG and PDF.

5. Appypie Design

Appypie Design is part of the broader AppyPie suite, simplifying the creation process across various domains. The design tool caters to users seeking quickly produced graphics for business, personal or social media purposes. Its beginner-friendly interface makes it easy for those without a design background. The platform’s main strength lies in its AI-generated designs. An average user can make visually-appealing graphics with the use of a prompt.

Pros

• User-centered, AI-powered design platform.
• Many options for your design needs, from infographics to posters and social media graphics.
• Unlimited graphics at only $6 per month.
• Lots of images to choose from.

Cons

• Watermarks on designs for free users.
• Customer support is unavailable for free users.
• Only four projects per month unless you pay for the Pro plan. 

6. VistaCreate

VistaCreate is a free design tool geared towards crafting beautiful visuals, infographics included. This infographic maker is especially useful for those who need more design experience. You can make infographics from thousands of design templates with ease. With a rich library of templates, users can also access customization features to fit specific needs.

Many users favor VistaCreate, particularly for its balance of simplicity and functionality. With ready-to-make templates, you can create infographics that speak to your audience easily. 

Pros

• Easy to use for beginners and seasoned designers.
• Color and photo customization options.
• Background remover and layering.
• Social media scheduling and posting.
• Branding kit

Cons

• Pay for premium designs and features.
• Limited templates and animations for free users.

7. Snappa

Snappa is a straightforward graphic design tool that makes content creation quick and easy. It’s an ideal choice for those who need to whip up infographics in a pinch. With a streamlined interface, users can jump straight into designing without a steep learning curve. 

Snappa has a decent collection of templates, making it easy to get started. It also offers customization options to create attractive designs geared toward your audience. What makes Snappa different from other infographic makers is its efficient integration with social media. You can create a graphic and seamlessly share your content through Twitter or Facebook.

Pros

• Beginner-friendly
• Built-in knowledge base and video tutorials.
• Paid users get unlimited access to photos and videos.
• Includes brand logos for your infographic.
• Download in JPG and PNG file formats.

Cons

• Three downloads per month for free users.
• No photos or illustrations.
• Limited customization options.

Use an Infographic Maker Right for You

An Infographic maker is a valuable tool for beginner graphic designers or when time is of the essence. These tools share common features, but the ideal pick should align with your needs and budget. Consider giving these tools a test run to find the best fit. Giving each infographic maker a spin will let you determine which you like the most.

The post 7 Must-Try Infographic Makers for Graphic Designers appeared first on Designerly.

If your webpage displays an HTTP 302 error code, you should fix it as soon as possible so visitors can continue to access your website. Here’s why you might be getting the error code and what you can do to fix it.

What Does an HTTP 302 Error Code Mean? 

An HTTPS 302 error code is a sign your page isn’t redirecting properly, preventing visitors from getting to the location you’re trying to send them to. You can get it when you attempt to visit a resource that you’ve moved or when your redirect attempt doesn’t work. 

Typically, HTTPS 302 is a handy way to temporarily redirect visitors when you perform site maintenance, display different pages to target demographics or want to carry over your link juice. However, if you see an error code, it isn’t performing as it should. 

Does an HTTP 302 Error Code Affect SEO?

Luckily, an HTTP 302 error code doesn’t directly impact SEO since search engines view it as a routine, temporary change. Google won’t deindex the original page, so it retains its ranking and domain authority. However, this may pose a problem if you want to genuinely redirect visitors. 

Although your website’s SEO remains relatively unaffected, you can’t improve it at all as long as the error is present. A 302 redirect is only supposed to be temporary, so it’s best to fix any issues immediately.

Since HTTP 302 causes Google to continue indexing the original page, the new URL doesn’t receive the link juice. If you intend for the redirect to contribute to your website’s SEO, you must readjust it. 

Why Are You Getting an Error Code? 

Misconfigurations, plugin conflicts, redirection issues, and server incompatibilities can be why you get an error code. 

Here are some common causes of an HTTPS 302 error code: 

• Plugins: WordPress has nearly 60,000 plugins on its official site. While people often use one to help redirect visitors, it won’t work properly if it conflicts with other tools or has incorrect settings.

• Settings misconfiguration: Misconfigurations in your website or URL settings can confuse the server, causing a 302 error.

• Redirect loops: Accidentally setting a page to redirect away and then back to itself creates an infinite loop that servers can’t handle, causing an error code to appear.  

• Web host provider: While error codes beginning with “4” stem from end-user complications, the 302 code occurs because something went wrong with the web server host. Sometimes, the hosting provider has technical issues that are the cause.

• Server logs: Since browsers keep records of every action on the servers, they sometimes accidentally retain incompatible changes, causing an error.

While there are many reasons why a 302 error code could appear, these are the most common. Luckily, all of the solutions are relatively straightforward.

How to Fix an HTTP 302 Error Code

Use one of these seven methods to fix your 302 error. Some solutions may differ since WordPress websites have multiple hosting options, web server types, and plugins.

1. Deactivate Plugins and Themes

Misconfigurations or incompatibility in plugins and themes can sometimes cause HTTP 302 errors. If you deactivate them all and your website suddenly works as it should, turn each off one at a time until you find which one causes the issue. 

2. Clear Server Logs

You must clear your logs to fix incompatibilities with server logs. To do so, log into your admin account with cPanel or hPanel and remove them. If you want to manually clear browser logs on WordPress, use the WP_DEBUG PHP constant. 

It should be set to “define( ‘WP_DEBUG’, false );” by default for security reasons, so you must change it to “define( ‘WP_DEBUG’, true );” to begin. From there, you can access the error log and make adjustments.

3. Check the Validity of Redirects

If your page displays “ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS,” it’s in a redirect loop. You create one when you direct a visitor away from a page and then bring them back. It’s a straightforward fix, as you only need to verify the domain name and URL spelling is correct. 

You can also get an HTTP 302 error if you accidentally redirect visitors to the wrong location. The fix is the same, as you simply must ensure everything is correct. On WordPress, go to the dashboard, navigate to Settings, and click “General.” Make sure the “Address (URL)” and “Site Address (URL)” fields match and are correct. 

4. Check Software Compatibility 

HTTP 1.0 Request for Comment (RFC) is an important internet standard that controls when pages display a 302 code. Websites are supposed to ask visitors to accept the redirect, but they sometimes proceed without confirmation. This automatic redirection creates server issues, causing the error code. 

The newer version — HTTP 1.1 RFC — utilizes 303 and 307 codes as a workaround and can handle “POST” and “GET” responses. Ensure your software is compatible with HTTP 1.1 to fix your 302 error code. Be mindful that this method may affect your SEO since most SERPs don’t index pages with a 307 redirect like they do a 302 version.

5. Check Website Server Configuration

Since a website-server misconfiguration can cause an HTTPS 302 error to appear, you must ensure you’ve configured everything properly. Use a control panel or FTP client to access the root directory and open the “.htaccess” file. 

Apache web server users must look for the “RewriteRule” and “RewriteCond” directives. If the “RewriteRule” line displays “[R=302]” at the end, it’s telling the browser to perform a temporary redirect. 

Nginx web server users need to find the “nginx.conf” file and rewrite the redirection directives. You can adjust these directives here to fix the issue. To be safe, save a backup before making changes.

6. Restore the Website from a Backup

Since an HTTPS 302 error code can come from a malicious redirection attempt or misconfigurations, a backup restoration is a straightforward cure-all. You should be in the clear as long as you restore from an iteration that doesn’t have the issue. 

7. Contact Your Hosting Provider

If the HTTP 302 error code persists despite all of your attempts to fix it, the issue may require an expert’s technical insight. Contacting your web host provider is the best approach when all else fails — especially considering they may be causing the issue. 

Can You Prevent HTTP 302 Errors?

You can double-check your work whenever you reconfigure or redesign your website to prevent future HTTP 302 errors from appearing. Once you fix it, make a backup so you have something to compare any future issues against. You must back up your website with a plugin, a control panel, or an FTP client since WordPress doesn’t automatically perform backups for you.

Although no method guarantees you will never get an error code again since a web-server miscommunication can be entirely out of your control, you can significantly reduce the chances of it reoccurring with the correct methods.

Prevent Future Error Codes

Although fixing your HTTPS 302 error code can be tricky, preventing it from happening again is very straightforward. Since you know what caused it in the first place, you can keep an eye out and prevent it from happening again.

The post What’s an HTTP 302 Error Code? And How to Fix It appeared first on Designerly.

What is fascinating about neon fonts is that any font could turn into a glowing, hot pink sign if you are a skilled enough designer. The standard serif could turn heads in front of a nightclub with enough pizazz. However, there are some quintessential elements to neon signs that many recognize, which we will analyze today. 

These neon fonts will provide that classic, 80’s vibe you’re going for, especially if you have a client looking to light up their customers with intrigue and excitement. 

1. Bayshore

It is easy to imagine this font as shining glass tubes. It has the informal, handwritten vibes that give it an easy-on-the-eyes feel. It is stylized enough to where it won’t confuse readers, and vanilla enough to be used for designs outside of neon. You could easily see this as the title for a retro film or spread out across the chest on an awesome band tee.

Cost: Free

2. Neon Lights

You can’t get more on the nose than a font called Neon Lights. This font has a more angular, bubble-letter look. To make it interesting, it has appealing  lines in letters like G and N. The font has special characters like several currency symbols and letters with every accent you could ask for. There are no lowercase options in this font set, but why would you want them when the font stands out so gloriously in capital letters?

Cost: Free

3. Neonisans Monoline

If you’re comparing the first two fonts on this list, this is a delightful blend of both. It isn’t angular as you would expect certain neon sights, but it has defined lines with nice curves to make it modern — as the name suggests — while being nostalgic. It has upper and lowercase options that seamlessly connect through lower lines. This font is perfect for translating into an actual neon sign. The numbers and special characters do not do this, but if you’re using this font to make an actual sign, it should make the process simpler.

Cost: Free

4. Selfie 

The bold and curvy lines of Selfie would make a memorable neon font design. Though most of the images demonstrate the font slanted, it is flexible. Use this to craft a flyer for an upcoming coffee shop gig or an ad for the front pages of your website discussing your next sale. The extended font family for commercial use includes Selfie Light, Standard, Black, Printed, and Flag variants.

Cost: Free for personal use and $19.80 per style for commercial licenses.

5. Lost Wages

Lost Wages brings the tube-like style mixed with a little space-age inspiration. It comes at sharp angles with sweeping curves. A straight line above the lowest point pierces the letters for an eye-catching look. The pack has fewer special characters — only the lone ampersand. However, it has a variety of accented letters so you can craft a sci-fi book jacket or thematic restaurant sign with this hip neon font.

Cost: Free

6. Hastron

This unassuming script font looks like it could be in the same family as Bayshore but with thinner lines. Hastron is not as wide as some other neon fonts, giving you more options for utilizing space. The cursive handwriting is perfect for beachy tourist attractions or as a header for a website. 

Cost: Free

7. Fuse

The image for this font says it all — it looks great in every color, especially with the rectangular border on it to highlight its style. The gaps and multi-line design makes it one of the more unique options on this list. Because of the way it’s laid out, even lights won’t blur its edges. 

Cost: Free

8. Neon Ballroom

Neon Ballroom is like the sibling to Fuse, but it is filled in. It also takes a more modern twist with the cut-off lines within letters, creating more distinct visuals. Because of this layout, it is easy to conceptualize how the colors would radiate from the center lines to give that neon font aesthetic you’re going for.

Cost: Free for personal use

9. Zapped Sticks

Imagine neon lights stacked on top of each other — there you have the appropriately jazzy Zapped Sticks. Despite its trippy appearance, when you put lights around the letters, it shines wonderfully and distinctively. The layered effect provides a pop to standard neon fonts, making it jump off the page with more dimension — especially if you’re using this in print or digital mediums.

Cost: Free

10. Lineat III

Lineat III is ready to provide neon lights to every industry. The design is intended for everyone, from sports and entertainment to industrial niches. The fun-filled lines end in sharp corners like a curling wave to give it more nuanced interest. The font looks good surrounded in neon colors and lights or plain and by itself. 

Cost: Free for personal use and starting at $19 for commercial use

11. Yasemin

This font is more decorative than your standard swirling, script fonts. It has an edge appearance. Letters have lingering lines, extending some across the length of the word. Some of the tails interweave and all of the capital letters have curls that wrap around the left side. Imagine this font on a stylish business card or gift bag, and it would grip anyone’s attention.

Cost: $24

12. Las Enter

The name of this font does make it feel like it would be the sign welcoming tourists to Las Vegas. It is one of the most voguish of the bunch, looking good in all differentiations, whether it’s italics, bold, or underlined. Angle it however you want to excite viewers into thinking they’re about to head into a party, regardless of what this neon font says.

Cost: Free for personal use or $69 for a commercial license

13. VV Neonica

This isn’t just a single font — it’s a whole collection. In the display image, you can see how one font translates to provide variation in a single design. The font package also includes the decorative elements like clouds and guitars to dress the background of your design. If you’re looking for a comprehensive package, this is the neon font for you.

Cost: $1.83 per style

14. Electric Holic

This unique neon light font includes dots to add extra glitz to the design. It looks more electric, resembling circuitry. The font works best in larger sizes so viewers can see the finer details, so large signage and advertisements are the way to go when using this neon font.

Cost: Free for personal use and commercial use requires a subscription

Jazz Up Creations With Neon Fonts

Neon fonts are a solid, thrilling choice for appropriate designs. With a few curves, a gentle script could provide a flashy elegance. More squared-off edges give that futuristic aesthetic a client might crave. Whatever the mission, these neon fonts deliver variety and inspiration, whether you’re making a traditional sign or an innovative banner ad. If you’re feeling adventurous, consider adding an animation to make the font glow literally as viewers enjoy its radiance.

The post 14 Neon Fonts to Light Up Your Design appeared first on Designerly.