YOU DO YOU
Tricks from a talented typist
So many fonts, so little time! When it comes to everyday designing (Powerpoints, flyers, and event agendas, for example), the fonts you choose seal the aesthetic fate of your messages.
Here are some tips from the Nielsen Norman Group (NN/g) on getting your typefaces right.
DOs
Do: Use the 1-l-L Test on Potential Typefaces
Use your potential font to type a number “1,” a lowercase “l,” and an uppercase “L.” You should be able to differentiate the characters at first glance.
Do: Use Decorative Typefaces for Headings and Sans Serif for Body Text
According to NN/g, fonts with flourishes should be balanced by plain fonts to give your piece a pleasing, but not overwhelming, look.
Do: Create Visual Hierarchy by Altering Font Weights, Sizes, and Styles
If you choose just one font, add eye-catching variety using all the classic tricks in your editing toolbar: italics, size, bold, and even underlines.
DON’Ts
Don’t: Use Wall-to-Wall Decorative Text
Why, you ask? Because that’s just hard to read as we hope you’ll see from this example.
Don’t: Pair Typefaces with Distinct Serifs (Serif definition: a slight projection finishing off a stroke of a letter in certain typefaces. )
NN/g says strong serifs may compete with each other. This can make your text hard to read.
Don’t: Neglect to Consider What “Role” Each Font Plays
“Regardless of which typeface or combination of typefaces you choose, do not use them haphazardly in designs. Each typeface or style should have a clear role and purpose,” NN/g says.
A simple example of assigning roles is using a decorative typeface for highlighting quotes or statistics while using a plain font for everything else.
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Corporatese Term of the Day: Six Sigma
In terms of project management, Six Sigma is a systematic framework for identifying and reducing errors in a project. Leveraging it increases efficiency and reduces problems.
Six Sigma was originally intended to streamline manufacturing processes, but you can leverage the core principles for pretty much any project. This Capterra post lists all the Six Sigma steps and also points to handy software offerings you can use to execute each one.
- Define: OKR Software
- Measure: Gantt Chart Software
- Analyze: Data Analysis Software
- Improve: Idea Management Software
- Control: Business Process Management Software
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LEVEL UP
Vital Signs: The People Pleaser
People pleasing refers to the tendency (usually chronic) to put others’ needs before your own. People pleasers do this, experts say, in an attempt to “gain attention, affection, validation, approval and love.”
Here are some other vital signs to keep in mind if you are one or know one.
People-Pleasing Tendencies
- Avoiding conflict or criticism
- Preoccupation with “fitting in”
- Apologizing frequently
- Never saying “no”
- Agreeing almost as though by default
Strengths
- Kindness and compassion (their hearts are in the right place)
- Incredible powers of perception (built up through years of observing others’ reactions)
- Loyalty (people know they can count on them)
- Stability (you can practically guarantee this person will be on time or let you know well in advance if they’re delayed)
Weaknesses
- Bottling everything up can lead to passive aggressive behavior
- Susceptibility to burnout
- Experiencing feelings of resentment when they do good things for the wrong reasons
- Neglecting self care
Survival Tips
- Practice saying “no” to low-pressure invitations, to a coffee date, for example
- Start saying “let me get back to you” to buy some time to really think about what you’re agreeing to
- Try saying “I don’t” instead of “I can’t” to practice owning your preferences and values
- Avoid making excuses or offering explanations. Instead practice unapologetic confidence in your responses
- Ask yourself what is important to you and work on prioritizing that
Read more about people pleasing:
WATERCOOLER TALK
Happy Pi Day
3/14 is the day we celebrate the mathematical constant pi, which happens to boast 3.14 as its first 3 digits.
Pi, in case you were wondering, is “the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter.”Given pi’s phonetic pronunciation and its association with the circle, people around the world choose to celebrate Pi Day by eating pie. We can get behind that.
Pi day recipes:
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SPILL THE TEA
Hooray, You Made It to the End of Our Newsletter!
Riddle me this: If you’re running in a race and you pass the person in second place, what place are you in?
⭐ Answer here.