fontbased

Fontbased is a design philosophy and workflow that centers typography as the primary driver of visual identity and user experience. In a fontbased approach, the choice of font families, weights, and spacing determines much of the layout, color, and rhythm of a project, rather than decorative elements alone.

Core characteristics include a restrained type palette, deliberate typographic hierarchy, and consistent metrics across screens and print. Designers favor a small set of font families, employ scalable typography through variable fonts when possible, and craft systems of sizes, line lengths, and rhythm that guide content structure.

Applications range from branding and editorial design to web and app interfaces. A fontbased workflow supports scalability and accessibility when typography is designed for legibility, with performance benefits from fewer font files and coherent loading behavior.

Origin and usage: The term is used in design discourse to describe projects where typography informs and constrains other design decisions. It reflects broader shifts toward design systems and typographic-driven branding in the 2010s and 2020s, rather than a formal standard.

Criticism: Critics argue that an overemphasis on typography can limit experimentation or lead to repetitive aesthetics. When not paired with clear accessibility considerations, a fontbased approach may compromise readability or contrast. Proponents note its clarity and cohesion when implemented with care.

See also: Typography, Design system, Variable font, Typeface, Font pairing.