The Most Persuasive Typeface- A Breakdown on Baskerville

When trying to persuade somebody to do something typically you talk in a sterner voice with a clear tone to show your sophistication. However, if you’re trying to persuade someone of something through a medium that does not allow your voice, such as an email or article, your font needs to read to audiences members as sophisticated- which the font Baskerville does. 

When trying to persuade somebody to do something typically, you talk in a sterner voice with a clear tone to show your sophistication. However, suppose you’re trying to persuade someone of something through a medium that does not allow your voice, such as an email or article. In that case, your font needs to read to audiences members as sophisticated- which the typeface Baskerville does. 

Created in 1975 by John Baskerville in Birmingham, England, this elegant typeface was chosen as the most persuasive font by readers of the New York Times. The typefaces’ crisp edges, high contrast, and generous proportions contribute to the font’s clarity and readability, but the font was not always received well. Just as the font is used today to persuade people, Baskerville had first to persuade others of the typefaces’ worth.

As a servant in a clergyman’s house, John Baskerville’s penmanship talents were discovered by his employer. John then started to experiment with fonts attempting to make older typefaces more legible by experimenting with both calligraphy and printing. Baskerville is classified as a transitional serif, a typeface between “old style” and “modern.” At the time of this transition, many people did not like the changes from traditional fonts. John Baskerville was changing the means of traditional fonts by creating contrast through thick and thin strokes, shifting the axis of round letters to more vertical, and sharpening series; however, its critics commented on the style claiming it was too stark and damaging to the eye. 

However, Baskerville’s font is seen as a bridge between eras that combined classic elegance with modernness. The font’s personality gives an intellectual and wise vibe; however, its serious and classic look is still modern and up to date, which is why it’s so trustworthy among users. Today it is widely used for academic publications and classy brands/logos such as Kate Spade, The Metropolitan Opera, and Better Homes. 

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