FontDiscovery 🖼️ 167: When Letters Tie the Knot!
All about Ligatures
Hey Everyone 👋
Hope you are having a fantastic week so far! This week, check out this latest feature we are working on at Typogram...ligatures!
We've talked about ligature on past issues of this newsletter, but incase you want a reminder 👇
Ligatures are unique characters created from multiple letters of common letter combinations to improve readability in a font. For example, the letter "f" has a high frequency of occurring with "i" and "l", as in words like “figure” and “flower.” To improve the readability in these specific cases, "fi" and "fl", would be combined to create a unique character that would replace the two letters when typed together.
Here is more on this feature from my co-founder, Wenting!
Hello everyone! Hope you are doing well. I know it may seem like I vanished into thin air for the past month, but trust me it’s not because I’ve been slacking off. In fact, quite the opposite! The last four weeks have been the most groundbreaking period since Typogram first began. I’ve been working tirelessly on a tidal wave of new features, and even I’m astonished by how much I’ve accomplished in such a short time.
Ironically, part of the reason for this surge in productivity is due to my procrastination on starting a YouTube channel for Typogram Vlog. While I’ve been putting off work on that front, I’ve channeled all my energy into Typogram’s development. I dusted off my wish list of features that I’ve been dreaming about since Typogram’s inception and managed to check off every single one of them.
With so many incredible features to cover, allow me to unveil them one by one. This week, we’ll dive deep into the feature of Ligatures and Substitution Glyphs, exploring how they can elevate your designs to new heights. But don’t worry, there’s plenty more to come, and I can’t wait to share each exciting update with you in future newsletters.
Ligatures: When Letters Tie the Knot!
A font file is like a magical world, but sadly, some of the most beautiful scenery is often less traveled and almost never seen. Most design software only scratches the surface by using the default glyphs to render the letters we use. However, behind each default glyph, there might be ten more that render the same letter in the most delightful and unique ways. Typogram filters fonts that have ligatures based on your text, making it easy to find and apply the perfect typographic style.
Ligatures join two letters together into a single glyph, providing a distinctive look that sets your text apart. Many famous brands, including Typogram itself, utilize ligatures in their brand marks to create a memorable and recognizable identity.
Swashes: Letters’ Wedding Attire!
Substitution glyphs, on the other hand, are mostly used for swash letters. Imagine taking the same ordinary letters and rendering them with elegant tails and swooshes. These fancy glyphs are often seen in wedding invitations, adding a touch of sophistication and glamour to the text.
Incorporating ligatures and substitution glyphs into your designs is a fantastic way to spice up your brand mark and make it stand out from the crowd. With Typogram’s new feature, you can now easily access and utilize these hidden gems, bringing a fresh and exciting look to your typography.