Typography Trends for 2023

Typography continues to be one of the most powerful tools in a designer's arsenal. As we move through 2023, several distinct typography trends are shaping the digital landscape, balancing innovation with readability and expression with function.

1. Variable Fonts

Variable fonts have revolutionized digital typography by allowing a single font file to behave like multiple fonts. In 2023, we're seeing more sophisticated implementations:

• Responsive Typography: Fonts that automatically adjust based on screen size and orientation
• Interactive Type: Typography that responds to user interactions
• Performance Optimization: Reduced load times while maintaining typographic richness

Variable fonts like Recursive and Roboto Flex are leading this trend, offering unprecedented flexibility.

2. Brutalist Typography

Aligned with the broader brutalist design movement, typography is embracing raw, unpolished aesthetics:

• Monospaced Fonts: Technical, unadorned typefaces
• Extreme Weights: Very light or very bold fonts with little in between
• Unconventional Layouts: Text that breaks traditional grid systems
• Exposed Elements: Revealing the structure and "bones" of typographic systems

This approach creates distinctive, memorable experiences that reject the homogeneity of template-driven design.

3. Kinetic Typography

Motion is increasingly becoming an integral part of typography:

• Subtle Animations: Text that gently moves or transforms
• Scroll-Triggered Type: Typography that responds to user scrolling
• Narrative Motion: Movement that tells a story or conveys meaning
• 3D Typography: Text with depth that moves in three-dimensional space

Tools like CSS animations, JavaScript libraries, and WebGL have made kinetic typography more accessible to designers and developers.

4. Nostalgic Revivals

2023 has seen a resurgence of retro typography styles:

• 70s and 80s Influences: Groovy, psychedelic letterforms
• 90s Digital Aesthetics: Early web typography with a contemporary twist
• Serif Renaissance: Traditional serifs reimagined for digital contexts
• Vintage Display Fonts: Decorative typefaces inspired by historical periods

Fonts like Ohno Blazeface and Signifier exemplify this trend.

5. Accessible Typography

As inclusivity becomes a priority, typography is evolving to be more accessible:

• Improved Readability: Fonts designed specifically for readability across contexts
• Dyslexia-Friendly Options: Typefaces like Atkinson Hyperlegible that address specific reading challenges
• Flexible Sizing: Typography systems that scale gracefully for users who need larger text
• Sufficient Contrast: Text that meets or exceeds WCAG accessibility guidelines

6. Expressive Custom Fonts

Brands are increasingly investing in custom typography:

• Brand-Specific Typefaces: Fonts designed exclusively for a single brand
• Personality-Driven Design: Typography that embodies brand values and personality
• Cross-Platform Consistency: Fonts that maintain identity across digital and physical touchpoints
• Distinctive Letterforms: Unique characters that become recognizable brand elements

Conclusion

Typography in 2023 balances technical innovation with human expression. The most successful typographic approaches combine these trends thoughtfully, prioritizing both creativity and usability.

As you consider incorporating these trends into your work, remember that typography's primary purpose remains communication. The best typographic choices enhance meaning, improve user experience, and strengthen brand identity—regardless of which trends they follow.