What is typography hierarchy (And Why It’s Important for Non-Designers)
Ever wondered why some designs just pop while others feel cluttered? The secret often lies in the typography hierarchy.
Typography hierarchy
Typography hierarchy is the importance of each word or text you include in your design or template and the arrangement of it in a way that guides the reader’s attention. To do that, you can use:
- Headlines (titles)
- Subheadlines
- Body text
- Bulleted lists
- Photo captions
- Photo credits
These are the most used typography hierarchy. Depending on the design you are working on, you may use all of them or just a few.
I’m giving you two examples of how to use typography hierarchy for beginners:
Example 1: Journal
When writing a journal, you will need to use headlines, subheadings, body text, and sometimes bulleted lists, depending on what you’re writing. Photo captions can also be helpful if you want to mention, for example, who is in a photo or what that person is doing.
If the photo isn’t yours, you should credit the name of the photographer or the stock image website you used. Even if it’s your own, you can credit yourself. By organizing these elements, your journal will look more professional and easier to read!
Example 2: Instagram Post
If you're creating an Instagram post, you’ll probably use less information because you want to focus on the most important info you want to share. This may include a headline, a subheadline, and a small body text.
For example, if it’s a carousel or a video, you might use some paragraphs as body text. You can also add more text in the description of your post, like additional information or a call-to-action (CTA) to encourage interaction, such as “Click the link in bio” or “Tag someone who needs this!”
Now that you know about typography hierarchy, let me break down for you the importance of respecting it.
Why is Typography Hierarchy Important?
Typography hierarchy in design improves both readability and visual appeal. For example, the headline should always be bigger than the body text to make it easier to read and guide your audience through your communication.
Studies show that readers naturally scan content in predictable patterns, like the F-pattern or Z-pattern, and typography hierarchy helps guide their eyes to the most important information first. This is why headlines and subheadlines are essential in grabbing attention.
People's subconscious naturally follows patterns of reading—they associate size with importance. If your headline isn’t big enough, people might assume it’s not that important. On the other hand, if the headline is too big and given more importance than it deserves, it can create unrealistic expectations about the topic.
Imagine a flyer where the headline is the same size as the body text—it’s hard to know where to start reading, right? Now picture a flyer where the headline stands out with bold, large text, and the body text is smaller and easier to skim. That’s the power of typography hierarchy!
So, if you’re a beginner, be careful with font sizes because they are directly related to how readers perceive typography hierarchy. By respecting typography hierarchy, your design or brand will automatically look more professional and polished!
If you’re just starting out, tools like Canva are perfect for experimenting with typography hierarchy. They even have pre-made templates that follow these principles, so you can focus on customizing them for your brand.
Want to take your designs to the next level? Learn more about typography and branding in our free (for a limited time) eBook, Design for Non-Designers. It’s packed with beginner-friendly tips and includes free templates to help you practice!
Quick Checklist for Beginners
Here’s a quick checklist for using typography hierarchy effectively:
- Make your headline the largest and boldest text.
- Use subheadlines to support the headline and provide context.
- Keep body text readable with consistent font size and spacing.
- Maintain alignment and spacing across all elements for a professional look.
How to Create Typography Hierarchy (Step-by-Step Guide)
Tips for Beginners
Step 1: Use font size to create contrast
Font size is one of the easiest ways to create contrast and guide readers through your content. For example, use large fonts for headlines and smaller fonts for body text.
As mentioned before, size is directly related to importance and readability. Carefully choose a font style and size that aligns with your content and brand message.
Step 2: Play with font weight (bold for emphasis)
Fonts usually have several styles, from ultra-thin to extra-bold. Before choosing a font for your brand, check how many variations it has and how you can use those variations to fit your needs.
For example, you can use bold styles for headlines or to emphasize specific words. Use these styles strategically instead of combining too many fonts in the same project or brand. This keeps your design clean and professional.
Step 3: Choose complementary fonts (pair serif and sans-serif fonts)
If you want to use more than one font in your designs or brand, don’t go over three fonts—especially if you’re a beginner. Instead, choose fonts that complement each other.
What do I mean by complementary? If two fonts are too similar, they won’t create enough contrast to stand out. To keep it simple, pair serif fonts (e.g., Times New Roman) with sans-serif fonts (e.g., Arial).
Once you decide, stick to your choice! For example, if you use a serif font for headlines and a sans-serif font for body text, keep that consistent across all your designs. Switching them around can confuse your audience and hurt your brand’s visual communication.
Step 4: Use spacing and alignment to organize text
Spacing and alignment are the final touches that make your design look polished and professional.
For example, if you decide that the spacing between your headline and body text should be a specific size, stick to that throughout all your designs. Consistency creates a sense of organization and professionalism.
Alignment is equally important. Whether you align your text to the left, center, or right, stick with one choice. Constantly changing alignment can make your design look messy and unprofessional.
3 Common Typography Hierarchy Mistakes to Avoid
Let’s break down the three most common typography hierarchy mistakes small businesses make when they’re just starting out:
1. Overusing bold or decorative fonts
Bold and decorative fonts can make certain elements stand out, but overusing them can make your design look cluttered and overwhelming. Use them sparingly for emphasis.
2. Using too many font types in one design
Using more than 2-3 fonts in a single design can make it look chaotic. Instead, stick to a maximum of three fonts and use their variations (e.g., bold, italic, regular) to add variety.
3. Ignoring spacing and alignment
Neglecting consistent spacing and alignment can make your design look unprofessional. Always use equal spacing between elements and align text consistently throughout your project.
Simple Typography Tips for Content Creators
Here are five quick tips to improve your designs:
- Don’t use more than 2-3 fonts in each design.
- Take advantage of font style variations (e.g., bold, italic, thin).
- Keep your text aligned consistently (left, right, or center).
- Maintain consistent font sizes across your brand.
- Use white space to improve readability and avoid clutter.
FAQs About Typography Hierarchy
What is typography hierarchy in simple terms?
It’s the way text is arranged to show importance and guide the reader’s eye.
Can I create typography hierarchy without design experience?
Yes! Tools like Canva make it easy for beginners. They even have templates that follow typography hierarchy principles, so you can focus on customizing them for your brand.
What fonts work best for beginners?
Start with clean and readable fonts like Open Sans or Roboto. These fonts are versatile and work well for both headlines and body text.
Conclusion
Typography hierarchy is more than just arranging text—it’s about creating designs that are professional, readable, and visually appealing. By understanding how to use font size, weight, spacing, and alignment, you can guide your audience’s attention and make your message stand out.
When you respect typography hierarchy, your designs will not only look polished but also build trust and recognition for your brand. Whether you’re creating a journal, an Instagram post, or a business presentation, following these principles will take your designs to the next level.
If you’re ready to make your designs truly shine, I’ve got something special for you! Download my free (for a limited time) eBook, Design for Non-Designers. It’s packed with beginner-friendly tips and includes free templates to help you practice typography hierarchy, color palettes, and more.
And if you’re looking for tools to make the process even easier, check out Coolors.co for creating stunning color palettes or browse my professional Canva templates to get started right away.
Remember: Great design doesn’t require a degree—it just takes a little time, the right tools, and the willingness to experiment. You’ve got this!
Bonus: Free Typography Hierarchy Canva Templates
Want to practice what you’ve learned about typography hierarchy? I’ve got you covered! I’m giving you three free Canva templates to help you apply these principles and create professional designs with ease.
What’s Included?
Social Media Post Template: Perfect for creating eye-catching Instagram or Facebook posts that follow typography hierarchy principles.
Thank You Card Template: A simple yet elegant design to show appreciation while maintaining a professional look.
Newsletter Template: A clean and organized layout to communicate your message effectively and impress your audience.
These templates are beginner-friendly and fully customizable, so you can adapt them to match your brand’s style and message.
Ready to take your designs to the next level? Download the free templates now and start practicing typography hierarchy today.
Looking for more design inspiration? Check out my full collection of professional Canva templates in my Digicolors Store. From social media to business branding, you’ll find everything you need to create stunning designs effortlessly.
Have you downloaded the free Canva templates yet?
What’s one design where you’ve struggled with typography hierarchy?
Let me know in the comments.
Cheers!