Choosing the Right Font for a Lifestyle Blog Redesign
There’s something magical about the moment you choose the perfect font for a project. It’s not just about aesthetics—it’s about setting the tone, creating a mood, and guiding your reader’s eye through the content with intention. Recently, I found myself in this very situation while redesigning the header of a lifestyle blog called Simple Living. The goal was to refresh the brand’s visual identity while keeping it warm, approachable, and inviting. After exploring several options, I landed on Telling, a handwritten font from Script Amp that felt like the perfect match for the blog’s personality.
The Personality of Telling
Telling is more than just a script font—it’s a voice. With its playful curves, gentle loops, and slightly quirky rhythm, it brings a sense of friendliness and authenticity to any layout. It feels like someone wrote it with care, making it ideal for projects that want to connect with their audience on a personal level. Whether used for a blog header, an ebook title, or a printable planner, Telling adds a human touch that digital fonts often lack.
Its soft, handwritten appearance makes it especially well-suited for editorial designs that lean into storytelling. It doesn’t feel too formal or too casual, striking a balance that works across a variety of content types. This versatility is what made me consider it for the Simple Living redesign.
Using Telling in Editorial Design
When I first tested Telling on the blog header, I noticed how it immediately softened the overall look of the site. It didn’t overpower the design but instead complemented it, adding warmth without distraction. I experimented with using it for article titles, section headers, and even pull quotes. Each time, it brought a subtle energy that made the text feel more engaging.
For example, I paired Telling with a clean sans serif font for body copy. This combination created a strong visual hierarchy—Telling drawing attention to headlines, while the sans serif ensured readability for longer blocks of text. The contrast between the two fonts helped guide the reader smoothly through the content.
I also tried using Telling for decorative accents, such as in sidebars or navigation menus. It added a touch of character without disrupting the flow of the page. In print materials, like a downloadable planner or a recipe ebook, Telling stood out beautifully, giving each page a handcrafted feel that readers could appreciate.
Readability and Practical Considerations
While Telling is undeniably charming, it’s important to consider its readability, especially when using it for extended text. As a handwritten font, it works best for short bursts of text—headlines, pull quotes, chapter openers, and decorative elements. For body copy, pairing it with a more legible font is essential to maintain clarity and avoid eye strain.
In digital formats, I noticed that Telling rendered well on screens, maintaining its character even at smaller sizes. When exporting to PDFs or printing, the font retained its quality, which is crucial for any publication that values consistency across platforms.
Before finalizing the font for the Simple Living redesign, I checked the included styles, ligatures, and alternates. The font came with enough variations to allow for subtle stylistic changes, ensuring that the design remained dynamic yet cohesive. I also confirmed that it supported commercial use, which was necessary since the blog would be publishing paid content and downloadable templates.
Font Pairing and Brand Identity
One of the joys of working with Telling was experimenting with font pairings. For the blog’s newsletter, I paired it with a modern serif font for the body text. The result was elegant yet approachable, reinforcing the blog’s message of simplicity and comfort. For social media graphics, I used Telling alongside a bold sans serif font for captions, creating a strong contrast that drew attention to key messages.
These pairings helped establish a consistent brand identity across all platforms. Telling became a signature element of the blog’s design, instantly recognizable and aligned with the brand’s voice. It wasn’t just a font—it was a part of the storytelling process itself.
Whether you're designing a wedding guide, a coaching workbook, or a digital magazine, Telling offers a unique opportunity to bring your content to life with a personal, handwritten feel. Its charm lies in its ability to make every word feel like it was written just for you.
