By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
Mastering these skills will help you create visually appealing and effective designs that stand out in the world of computer graphics.
Typography is the art and technique of arranging type so that written language is readable, legible and visually appealing. In interior design, typography appears in signage and wayfinding, wall graphics, branded interiors, menus, presentation boards and printed documents. Typography project requirements are the needs, conditions and limits that the typography must meet, such as the message, audience, viewing distance, location, materials, brand rules, accessibility, legal requirements, budget and deadline. Defining these requirements before designing ensures the type chosen and the way it is used actually work in the real space. Example: before designing wayfinding for a regional referral hospital, a designer records that signs must be read by patients with poor eyesight from 10 m away, follow the hospital's brand fonts, use English and Kiswahili, resist frequent cleaning and be ready before the new wing opens.
Every typography project must address a set of core requirements. Missing any of them can lead to signs that cannot be read, graphics that clash with the brand or work that must be redone. Example: a designer creating lettering for a bank's reception wall checks the brand guidelines, the wall size, viewing distances and the lighting before starting.
Different typography projects place different demands on the designer. Understanding these differences helps set priorities. Example: a designer working for a shopping mall treats directory signs as readability-first projects but treats a feature lettering wall in the food court as an expressive, decorative project.
| Project type | Main requirement | Other considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Wayfinding and directional signs | Fast, clear reading from a distance | Consistent symbols, arrows and accessibility |
| Room identification signs | Clear names and numbers at close range | Tactile lettering and Braille where needed |
| Safety and regulatory signs | Compliance with safety standards | Standard colours, pictograms and visibility |
| Branded wall lettering | Matching brand typefaces and colours | Scale, material and lighting |
| Menu boards and displays | Easy reading of items and prices | Updating content and lighting |
| Presentation boards and reports | Clear hierarchy and readability on paper | Consistent styles across pages |
| Decorative and artistic type | Visual impact and mood | Legibility still needed where meaning matters |
Requirements come from several people and documents. Gathering them early prevents surprises later. Example: a designer of signs for a manufacturing plant learns from the safety officer that all chemical stores need specific hazard signs in addition to the client's own signs.
A clear process turns information from various sources into an agreed set of requirements. Recording them in a brief or schedule gives everyone the same reference. Example: a designer preparing typography for a new technical training institute's workshops agrees a written signage brief with the principal before starting design.
Total cost = number of signs × cost per sign + installation cost
A school needs 45 room signs at Ksh 2,500 each and 8 directional signs at Ksh 7,000 each. Installation costs Ksh 15,000.
Room signs = 45 × 2,500 = Ksh 112,500
Directional signs = 8 × 7,000 = Ksh 56,000
Total cost = 112,500 + 56,000 + 15,000 = Ksh 183,500
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