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I'm currently looking at a new font for a logo and I'm having some issues with the kerning of our lettering.

I've search the web for guidance on kerning, in particular when using double lowercase lettering but not been able to find much on this. I've gone for the same spacing in between each letter to begin with but it looks wrong particularly towards the end of the word.

enter image description here

Any advise on this or resources for good practices would be really helpful.

Second image with default kerning:

enter image description here

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  • What does it look like if you do not kern at all? If you let the already defined space be the "original"? (actually, I think the end of the words look better than the first part)
    – benteh
    Jan 20, 2014 at 12:16
  • you might find this useful: graphicdesign.stackexchange.com/questions/257/…
    – benteh
    Jan 20, 2014 at 12:20
  • Not sure how to post the non-kern image back into this thread?
    – bbacarat
    Jan 20, 2014 at 12:31
  • You should be able to edit your own question. It would be good to have both versions. Another thing; what font are you using?
    – benteh
    Jan 20, 2014 at 12:32
  • Thanks here it is with no kearning. I think there is issues with the letter y on this version.
    – bbacarat
    Jan 20, 2014 at 12:56

2 Answers 2

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I would use half the width of the vertical for kerning between most areas (magenta rectangles) then the full width of the vertical on either side of the ls (orange rectangles).

If you want a more open and airy feeling, you might consider using the full width of the vertical for most areas and then double the width around the ls.

I would also shorten the height of the lowercase ls. The additional height of the ls is throwing off the balance considerably.

kerning

Reducing the height of the ls to match the hight of the uppercase letters does a great deal to regain the sense of balance. By doubling the space on either side of the ls you add overall visual weight to those areas creating a better horizontal rhythm.

Kerning is all about visual rhythm horizontally. The goal is to let the eye flow fluidly between characters without any visual "hiccups" along the way. For thinner characters it's often a good idea to add a bit more kerning to create the perception of more area to the character. There is no absolute equation which works for every word or character combination.

It can often be helpful to view the type upside down:

upside down

top: default kerning, bottom: after my kerning

This allows you to get a better sense of how solid or loose things feel. In the top, original, image you can see how open the right side feels compared to the left prior to kerning. And this is in spite of the c-r-y combination which naturally creates more visual space between characters. After kerning, I'd probably alter the r and y combination further (It would take some experimentation to flesh this idea out). Perhaps shortening one of the arms on the y to tuck it slightly under the r and reduce the visual space on the left side a bit more.

In reality, for a logo I'd do much more. Just my personal opinion, but a logotype should involve much more than choosing a typeface and then applying kerning.

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  • Can you elaborate where you got the measurement for the "vertical" you reference? Is it the width of the stems? Jan 21, 2014 at 20:49
  • 2
    Vertical is the width of the typeface's stroke. Essentially, the width of the ls or the width of the vertical stroke on the r or the width of the stems for the y.
    – Scott
    Jan 21, 2014 at 21:28
  • "It can often be helpful to view the type upside down" - probably the best kerning tip I've ever seen, +1! Jan 22, 2014 at 12:16
  • Thanks Scott, I had tried the upside down method, but wasn't too sure what I was looking for. You're example give is much more enlightening.
    – bbacarat
    Jan 22, 2014 at 12:49
  • Is there a quick way to know what the width is in Adobe Illustrator?
    – bbacarat
    Jan 24, 2014 at 13:32
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My belief is that you simply can not measure with kearning- you just have to really LOOK.

Step back five feet. Most of the time, your objective is probably to achieve a sense of balance. You can also use the kearning expressively, but this is not for the weak squeemish newbies or anyone who abhors having to explain themselves.

I intentially exaggeratted the space between the words to aid in phonetic transparency.

Ball1

The space beween the "R" and the "Y" is tight, and even then - you could argue for more space between the "Y" and the "S" Ball2

There are "ST" kearning pairs that would make the argument for trying that, but I dont think it adds anything, and steals some of the strength of the ascender on the T - Looks more literarry than a good brand.

Ball3

I would say that Scott's example above looks like a minor traffic accident happened when the Cap B hit the brakes, and the "Y" is a little lonesome. But then it's all subjective - part of the beauty of this business - there really is no absolute right answer.

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  • Thanks WildOutWest, I hadn't contemplated the kerning pairs but quite like it. Also not sure what you mean by 'minor car traffic accident' do you mean the l's being shortened?
    – bbacarat
    Jan 22, 2014 at 12:50
  • The B and l in my answer are kerned to match the rest of the type based on the question. I assumed it was meant to be presented as one word, camel cased, and not two separate words. Naturally, I wouldn't kern two words together by default. The y I agree with and mentioned in my answer.
    – Scott
    Jan 22, 2014 at 17:51
  • Sorry if I seemed harsh- I totally respect all the work you've done. I just find that we all learn more when people call it the way they see it. I think it was intended as one word. Jan 23, 2014 at 7:36
  • Yes it is intended as one word.
    – bbacarat
    Jan 24, 2014 at 13:24

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