Type moods

A type mood is the feeling associated with a type style. Using a particular typeface cannot change the meaning of the message, but it can enhance it (Wolfe 24). It’s important to choose a face that coordinates with the message being conveyed. "You can emphasize formality and authority, or you can emphasize wamth and friendliness. Or you can select an emotional value somewhere in between" (Rehe 56).

Trendy: This mood represents a popular look of contemporary times. Avant Garde is typeface that appears to be on the leading edge of fashion. The type is geometric and that makes it look new and fresh.

Nostalgic: Bodoni is a typeface that can be used to convey this mood. The nostalgic mood makes one think about type from the late 19th and early 20th century. Bodoni’s numerous styles and weights can be used to reflect the letterforms from that early period.

Traditional: A typeface that would make the reader feel comfortable is Bookman. This type style was designed as modern and is acceptable to use in any circumstance when the mood is traditional.

Aggressive: One face that would convey this mood is Helvetica Condensed. This mood is so forceful it demands a response from the reader. With this typeface, and with compressed and extra compressed versions, there is sense of truth implied in the style.

Friendly: The mood is comfortable, and one typeface to represent this mood is Optima. It is pleasing to read and creates a nice presence, no matter if you use lowercase, caps, or obliques.

Informative: This mood can be characterized by Times Roman. This mood conveys that the thing of primary importance is the presentation of information. Informative text is read in a straightforward way, and since Times Roman is a usual type for body text, it is a logical choice for this mood.

Here is an image where the typography reflects the mood or feeling.


Image source: http://www.sallygentieuwelch.com/pixelart/type_style_faces.JPG