Blog - Locus Digital

Uncovering the Best Practices for Typography in Travel

Written by Abe Rubarts | April 07, 2023

Uncovering the Best Practices for Typography in Travel

Greetings, dear reader! Are you ready to embark on a fantabulous journey where you'll discover the mysterious world of typography? Our destination: The Travel Industry! (Ooh, the excitement is palpable.) Hold onto your (font) hats, and prepare to dive deep into the best practices for typography in the wild, wild realm of travel!

The Importance of Typography in the Travel Industry

Typography—the unsung hero of the visual world, the quiet force that brings order (and charm) to the chaos of the written word. But, you may ask: "Why do we care about typography in the travel industry, of all places?" Well, my inquisitive friend, let me enlighten you.

Enhancing User Experience

In the grand bazaar of travel websites and print materials, a delightful user experience is your golden ticket to winning the hearts, minds, and wallets of those intrepid adventurers. Typography plays an essential role in ensuring your content is not only fun to read but engaging – a font-tastic quest, if you will.

And let's not forget that typography also helps users navigate the proverbial map of information, making it easy for them to find and feast upon the juicy morsels of travel know-how they're craving.

Strengthening Brand Identity

Every travel brand yearns to be unforgettable—an entity so unique and awe-inspiring that it's etched in the annals of travel history forever. Typography can be your magic wand, casting an enchanting spell that fortifies your brand identity and makes it stand out among the hordes of travel gurus, empires, and enthusiasts.

Evoke an image of luxury and sophistication or portray a sense of intrepid exploration—whatever message you choose to convey, typography can help bring your brand to life and make it simply irresistible.

Improving Readability and Accessibility

In the realm of typography, legibility is the loyal steed that carries your readable content far and wide. And access, dear traveler, is the gilt-edged passport that allows your audience to embark on an expedition of a lifetime through your incredible travel offerings.

The alchemy of typography ensures that every traveler can understand and interact with your content seamlessly—whether it's through a scintillating travel brochure or an action-packed blog post about the hidden treasures of Timbuktu.

Choosing the Right Typeface for Your Travel Brand

Ah, the magical world of typefaces! As diverse and wondrous as the landscapes that grace our beautiful planet, choosing the perfect typeface for your travel brand can be as exhilarating as a hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti.

Serif vs. Sans Serif

To serif, or not to serif: that is the question. Serif typefaces come adorned with lovely little embellishments, whereas their sans serif cousins boast a clean, minimalist charm. Choose wisely, intrepid typographer, for your typeface selection will set the tone for your entire visual journey.

Serif typefaces evoke tradition and sophistication, while sans serif typefaces whisper of modernity and friendly appeal. By aligning your typeface choice with your brand identity, you can create a visual language that truly captures the essence of your travel offerings.

Script and Handwritten Fonts

Once upon a time, in a world where quill and ink reigned supreme, beautiful script and handwritten fonts were the darlings of written communication. Although times may have changed, these elegant typefaces live on, adding a touch of whimsy and nostalgia to travel brands that seek to venture off the beaten path.

However, one must tread cautiously when employing such fonts—too much flourish can prove difficult to read and may inadvertently transform your content into a hieroglyphic-like puzzle. (Not the treasure hunt we had in mind.)

Display Fonts for Impact

In search of a way to grab your audience's attention and reel them in like an angler with a one-of-a-kind lure? Look no further than display fonts! Bold, captivating, and dramatic, these typefaces are designed for maximum impact and can be just the thing to create a buzz around your travel empire.

Remember, though, to use these powerful fonts sparingly to avoid overwhelming your audience. Too much of a good thing can quickly lead to visual chaos and send your readers scurrying for the nearest escape route.

Typography Best Practices for Travel Websites

Embarking on an adventure in the land of travel websites? Fear not, for we have the best practices for typography that will enhance your digital escapades.

Responsive Typography for Different Devices

Smartphones, tablets, laptops, oh my! In today's ever-connected world, it's crucial to ensure your website's typography adjusts gracefully to the plethora of devices your audience may use to access your travel wisdom.

By employing responsive typography techniques, you can guarantee a harmonious encounter between fonts and devices, leaving your users free to consume your content like insatiable typography gluttons.

Balancing Font Sizes and Line Spacing

Though it may not be as thrilling as tightrope walking over the Niagara Falls, balancing font sizes and line spacing on your travel website is a daring act that can make your content more digestible and enjoyable.

A harmonious interplay between large, attention-grabbing headers and smaller, easily readable body text keeps your reader engaged on their journey through your site. And let's not forget about line spacing—allowing your words to breathe freely will improve readability while maintaining a free-flowing aesthetic that's easy on the eyes.

Effective Use of White Space

Ah, white space: the unsung hero of the digital realm—a beautiful, calming oasis amid an otherwise chaotic cacophony of content. Making effective use of white space on your travel website is akin to finding the perfect campsite on a mountainside overlooking a serene valley.

Allowing for ample white space between paragraphs and elements ensures that your content feels uncluttered and inviting, providing the perfect respite for weary travelers as they meander through the virtual realm of your travel offerings.

Typography in Print Materials for Travel

Now, let us wander from the digital domain and explore the enchanting world of print materials, where tactile sensations meet visual splendor in a delightful dance of typographic grace.

Brochures and Flyers

Attention-seeking, eye-catching brochures and flyers are to the travel industry what fireworks are to the night sky—a spirited explosion of colors, shapes, and words that are simply impossible to ignore. Typography plays a leading role here, helping you really get the party started by captivating your audience with tantalizing headers and persuasive body text.

By carefully choosing your typefaces and emphasizing key phrases, you can create brochures and flyers that tell enticing stories about your travel offerings, making it practically impossible for your audience to look away.

Travel Magazines and Books

Travel magazines and books are the sacred repositories of wanderlust wisdom, the stalwart companions that accompany even the most solitary of globe-trotters. Typography serves as the gentle guide here, weaving tales of far-off lands, intrepid explorations, and exhilarating escapades that ignite the imagination.

By employing a harmonious blend of typefaces that complement each other and accentuating headers, subheadings, and captions, you can create a visually appealing, reader-friendly tome that will be treasured even after the last page has been turned.

Maps and Guides

No self-respecting traveler would embark on a journey without a trusty map or guide to lead the way. While the content of these indispensable tools is vital, typography also plays a starring role—ensuring that the labels, titles, and annotations are clear, comprehensible, and engaging.

Typography navigates the territory here, helping your audience trace their footsteps, avoid getting lost, and reach their desired destinations without breaking a sweat, all the while delighting in the visual journey you've laid out before them.

So there you have it, dear globetrotting wordsmiths—an enlightening, hilarious romp through the wild and wondrous world of the best practices for typography in travel! May your creative endeavors flourish as you weave captivating tales with your newfound font wisdom, luring travelers from around the globe to partake in your spectacular adventures!