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What is typography? Typography is everywhere we look. It's in the books we read, on the websites we visit, even in everyday life—on street signs, bumper stickers, and product packaging. But what exactly is typography? Simply put, typography is the style or appearance of text . It can also refer to the art of working with text—something you probably do all the time if you create documents or other projects for work, school, or yourself. Common types of fonts Typography can be an intimidating subject, but it doesn't have to be. You only need to know a little to make a big difference in the stuff you do every day. So let's get started. First, some common types of fonts  and what you need to know about them. Serif fonts Serif fonts have little strokes called  serifs attached to the main part of the letter. Because of their classic look, they're a good choice for more  traditional projects . They're also common in print publications, like magazines an

The power of color Color plays a vital role in  design  and  everyday life . It can draw your eye to an image. Sometimes it can trigger an emotional response. It can even communicate something important without using words at all. So how do we know which colors look good together and which ones don't? The answer is simple:  Color theory . Artists and designers have followed  color theory  for centuries, but anyone can learn more about it. It can help you feel confident in many different situations, whether it's  choosing colors for a design  or  putting together the perfect outfit . With a little insight, you'll be looking at color in a whole new way. Color basics Let's start at the beginning with a refresher on the basics. Remember learning about  primary and secondary colors  in school? Then you already have some knowledge of color theory. Secondary colors  are created by combining two  primary colors . Red and yellow make orange; yellow and blue m

What is composition? In many ways, layout and composition are the  building blocks  of design. They give your work structure and make it easier to navigate, from the margins on the sides to the content in between. Why is composition so important? In short, it's the  way your content is arranged . It doesn't matter if you're working with text, images, or elements in a graphic; without a thoughtful, well-composed layout, your work would basically fall apart. Five basic principles The key to mastering layout and composition is to  think like a designer . Luckily, it's easier than it sounds. There are  five basic principles  that can help you transform your work and sharpen your eye for design. Keep them in mind during your next project, and look for ways to apply them. Proximity Proximity is all about using  visual space  to show  relationships  in your content. In practice, it's pretty simple—all you have to do is make sure related items are  grouped