What is the Color Font Trend?

We speak to Alex Trochut about one of the most interesting typography trends right now: color font

Alex Trochut (@trochut), works in graphic design, typography, and illustration. He takes language further with innovative letter designs. In a journey of discovery, through fun and amazement, Trochut worked out that words and designs must be legible but can also transmit meaning visually in a less conventional way.

We decided he was best qualified to explain what a color font is. Learn more about this new colorful typographic concept, and the impact it can have on digital design.

What is a color font?

Color fonts are colored text type fonts. They are the next best thing in graphic design. They come in multiple colors, hues, textures, and transparencies. They include vectorial shapes, bitmap images–or both–in the font files.

They represent a key evolution in digital typography and can be applied to all kinds of text, as they include a wide range of characters, including icons and emojis.

Where are they used?

In any context that allows the use of display typeface.

What was the first example of a color font?

The first to appear is called Gilbert. It is a free type inspired by the iconic Rainbow Flag and created to honor the memory of its originator, Gilbert Baker. It was originally designed for the headlines and statements of banners for rallies and protests but was eventually developed into a whole family of weights and styles.

In addition, the type was enhanced with Animography, to give it movement. Animations, films and videos, social publications, GIFs, and much more were created.

How did you start to create color fonts?

I started working with Fontself Maker, a plugin for Illustrator and Photoshop that allows designers to convert any vectorial art piece into a letter, including color, gradients, and other fun stuff that opens up a whole world of possibilities. It’s an easy tool to use and can be a good starting point for designers or those who wish to start out in typography.

Why do you think it should be used more?

Adding a color dimension opens a whole spectrum of opportunities in typography.
Not depending only on black and white to define the shape and depth of a letter opens up many possibilities. Furthermore, due to the endless need for generating content all the time, a color font provides a more identifiable and expressive visual aspect. It is an effective tool for brands and clients who need to communicate messages quickly and in a very recognizable manner.

What shapes can you make in this new way?

Any vectorial shape that can be connected to a character, as long as it is less than 1000 in size. The color fonts based on vector glyphs can be changed in size without a loss of quality, as per any regular font.

Where can we find color fonts?

As their use is still limited they are not compatible with every platform or program but are available in many type foundries, such as Adobe Typekit and Sudtipos.
What is your favorite color font specimen?
Sudtipos’s Utopian is very good. It’s a family of fonts based on primary colors and pure geometric shapes, influenced by Bauhaus, DeStjil and Art Deco. The pure shapes and the basic colors are inspired by the beauty and simplicity of modular order and the grid layout. They provide a perfect environment where all the elements live in perfect harmony of color.

If you want to learn more from Alex, check out his online course Illustrated Lettering: Creativity and Expression.

You may be interested in:

- Design of Letters and Alphabets with Digital Techniques, a course by Domingo Betancur.
- Typography and Branding: Design an Iconic Logo, a course by Quique Ollervides.
- Basic Principles of Typographic Design, a course by Latinotype.