Letters and the power of contrast
Line weight is an essential tool for creating visual interest
By signcraft
Posted on Wednesday, June 22nd, 2016
Nothing turns a viewer off like visual monotony. We’re programmed to be interested in variety. In the case of sign design, that means contrasts of all kinds—light on dark, extended with condensed, heavy with light.
Rob Cooper, Koh Tao, Thailand, knows how to get the mileage out of contrast, as you can see by the extreme differences on these signs. You could look at the contrasts in color, shapes or even textures, but let’s zero in on the contrast in the style and line weight of the lettering.
Notice the radical difference in the line weight of the lettering on so many of Rob’s signs. Often you’ll find very bold headline lettering used along with extremely light, condensed lettering. That dramatic difference helps make for a sign layout that is much more appealing.