Designers Must Write

Design, just like writing, is about communication. While most designers don't consider themselves writers, writing is a large part of what we do. After more than a decade writing about graphic design and desktop publishing I identify myself as a writer more often than as a designer. That wasn't always the case. Yet even in my earliest days of doing design work I was writing regularly. Like me, you probably wrote and rewrote your own brochure. You probably write letters or email to clients, job proposals, and perhaps a marketing newsletter and your own Web site. Designers need to be able to communicate in writing. I'm not the only designer writing about the need for writing.

Explore why Designers Need to Know How to Write.

Do you write? Do you write well? What kind of writing do you do in connection with your design or desktop publishing work?

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Write Fonts

When my daughters had to start doing homework in cursive they came to me almost daily asking me to show them how to write various letters. It's been years since I learned formal cursive handwriting and my characters didn't always match what the school taught. I needed cursive handwriting fonts.

While most of the handwriting styles in this collection are those taught in US schools, including D'Nealian, Zaner-Boser, and Getty-Dubay Italic, I have found a few for styles taught in the UK, parts of Australia, and other areas. I'll continue to add to the collection of free fonts and links to shareware and commercial ones for other styles as I find them.

It's not just teachers that use these fonts. They can make a nice addition to a school newsletter or incorporated in graphics used for school Web sites or for any publication or Web site dealing with education.

Free Handwriting Fonts for Teachers
There are far more commercial offerings that freebies, but I have found a few that may suit your needs. Some are designed specifically for teaching handwriting skills and others are close and perhaps suitable in a pinch. You'll find some print or manuscript, cursive, and trace fonts with and without rules in a limited variety of styles.
[Free School Fonts] updated August 2008

Shareware Handwriting Fonts for Teachers
This category includes downloadable try-before-you-buy shareware school fonts in manuscript, cursive, and trace versions. Some are free for personal use.
[Shareware School Fonts]

Commercial Handwriting Fonts for Teachers
Many companies offer a wide range of school fonts designed for teaching handwriting skills. There are print, cursive, and trace fonts in all the major styles. Some include the ruled lines that are found on ruled handwriting paper.
[Commercial School Fonts]

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