Explore the world of typography where the elegant Raleway joins its unique partners, making balance and difference in design. This guide shows pairings with both traditional and modern fonts, revealing a world of artistic opportunities.
Raleway is a sans-serif typeface that was designed by Matt McInerney as a single-weight font in 2010, and later expanded into a nine-weight family by Pablo Impallari and Rodrigo Fuenzalida. The name Raleway comes from a street in Brooklyn, New York, where McInerney lived. Raleway is influenced by geometric shapes and classic proportions, giving it a clean and elegant appearance. Raleway is compatible with various platforms and browsers, and can be used for both print and web design. Raleway is popular for headlines, logos, posters, and magazines, as well as for body text in some contexts.
Raleway & Mandal (Free, Google Fonts)
Background: The sleek and professional demeanor of Raleway is beautifully complemented by the casual and laid-back style of Mandali. This combination balances formality with ease, making it suitable for varied design contexts.
Mandal is a sans-serif typeface that was designed by Ek Type, a collective of type designers based in Mumbai, India. The name Mandal comes from the word mandala, which means a circular symbol representing the universe in Hindu and Buddhist cultures. Mandal is influenced by Devanagari script, the writing system used for many languages in India, Nepal, and other parts of South Asia. Mandal has rounded shapes and smooth curves, giving it a friendly and approachable appearance. Mandal is compatible with various platforms and browsers, and can be used for both print and web design. Mandal is popular for informal and casual texts, such as social media posts, blogs, and comics, as well as for body text in some contexts.
Use Cases: Effective for user interfaces where a mix of formality and friendliness is needed.
Suggested Industries: Startups, Creative Agencies.
Pros: The pairing is modern and versatile.
Cons: Might not suit contexts requiring more traditional typefaces.
Raleway & Padauk (Free, Google Fonts)
Background: Raleway’s modern sans-serif lines find an amiable partner in Padauk’s clear and readable form. Padauk is known for its support of the Burmese script, but its Latin characters also provide an open and accessible feel.
Padauk is a font family that was originally designed by SIL International for the Myanmar script, which is used to write Burmese and other languages of Myanmar. The font was named after the padauk tree, a symbol of strength and durability in Myanmar culture. Padauk’s Latin characters were inspired by the proportions and shapes of the Myanmar script, resulting in a harmonious and balanced typeface. Padauk has been updated over the years to support more languages and scripts, such as Ethiopic, Arabic, and Devanagari. Padauk is also compatible with various platforms and applications, such as Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Microsoft Office, and Adobe Creative Suite.
Use Cases: Multilingual designs and international communication.
Suggested Industries: Non-Profit Organizations, Education.
Pros: Supports a wide range of languages, inviting and clear.
Cons: The distinct personalities of each font may require careful balancing.
Raleway & Raleway (Free, Google Fonts)
Background: Utilizing Raleway in varying weights and styles provides a cohesive and sophisticated look, ensuring seamless brand continuity and a polished appearance.
Use Cases: Branding and identity projects where consistency is key.
Suggested Industries: Fashion, Technology.
Pros: Consistency in design, streamlined branding.
Cons: Limited typographic contrast might reduce visual interest.
Raleway & Verdana (Free, with many operating systems)
Background: The pairing of Raleway with Verdana brings together two sans-serif fonts that excel in screen readability. Verdana, with its wide proportions and generous spacing, complements Raleway’s more condensed form.
Verdana is a humanist sans-serif font designed by Matthew Carter and released by Microsoft in 1996. It was influenced by the style of the Frutiger and Gill Sans fonts, but with modifications to enhance its readability on low-resolution screens. Verdana has large x-height, wide proportions, loose letter spacing, and distinctive curves that make it easy to distinguish between similar characters. Verdana is compatible with most operating systems and web browsers, and is often used for online content and user interfaces.
Use Cases: Web content and digital applications where readability on various devices is crucial.
Suggested Industries: Online Retail, Digital Publishing.
Pros: High legibility across different screen sizes.
Cons: May lack the elegance desired for print or high-end branding.
Raleway & Cabin (Free, Google Fonts)
Background: Cabin’s humanist touch offers a warm counterpart to Raleway’s geometric precision. This font duo is suited for conveying clear, straightforward messages with an approachable tone.
Cabin was designed by Pablo Impallari, a type designer from Argentina, who was inspired by the work of Edward Johnston and Eric Gill, two British masters of modern typography. Cabin is a humanist sans serif font that combines the clarity and legibility of Gill Sans with the organic and expressive shapes of Johnston’s Underground. Cabin is a versatile font that can adapt to different contexts and platforms, from print to web to mobile. It is widely used for branding, editorial design, and user interfaces.
Use Cases: Informative websites and mobile applications.
Suggested Industries: Travel, Real Estate.
Pros: Readable and friendly without sacrificing professionalism.
Cons: The subtlety of the pairing might not stand out in more artistic contexts.
Raleway & Century (Typically pre-installed on many systems)
Background: Century’s classic, readable qualities provide a traditional contrast to the crispness of Raleway, creating a blend of new and old that is both elegant and functional.
Century is a family of serif typefaces that originated in the late 19th century as a commission by the American Century Magazine. The original design, created by Linn Boyd Benton and his son Morris Fuller Benton, was inspired by the French Didot and Bodoni fonts, but adapted to be more legible and durable for mass printing. Century fonts have since been widely used in books, newspapers, magazines, and encyclopedias, as well as digital media. Century fonts are compatible with most platforms and devices, and are especially popular for academic and professional publications, where they convey a sense of authority and clarity.
Use Cases: Print media, corporate literature where a touch of classicism is desired.
Suggested Industries: Legal, Financial.
Pros: Offers a timeless look, excellent for readability.
Cons: Could be viewed as too conservative for avant-garde brands.
Raleway & Hind (Free, Google Fonts)
Background: Hind’s open forms and uniform stroke weight make it an understated companion to Raleway, enhancing the overall accessibility of text without overwhelming the primary typeface.
Hind is a contemporary sans serif typeface that draws inspiration from the Devanagari script, one of the most widely used writing systems in India. The font was designed by Indian Type Foundry as part of Google’s initiative to create high-quality fonts for Indian languages. Hind combines the geometric simplicity of Raleway with subtle curves and humanist details, creating a harmonious balance between the Latin and Devanagari scripts. Hind is optimized for web and mobile platforms, and has become a popular choice for user interfaces, digital publications, and branding.
Use Cases: Digital platforms and signage where clarity is paramount.
Suggested Industries: Healthcare, Public Services.
Pros: Clean, simple, and highly legible for UI/UX design.
Cons: The pairing might need additional color or design elements to add vibrancy.
Raleway & Josefin Sans (Free, Google Fonts)
Background: Josefin Sans, with its geometric structure and vintage Scandinavian tone, adds a unique character to the straightforward nature of Raleway, perfect for fashion-forward and modernist designs.
Josefin Sans was created by Santiago Orozco, a Colombian graphic designer and typographer based in Sweden. He was inspired by the 1920s and 1930s Art Deco style, as well as the works of Swedish type designers Göran Söderström and Örjan Nordling. The font is designed to be elegant and versatile, with a geometric structure and humanistic details. Josefin Sans supports multiple languages and scripts, including Latin, Greek, Cyrillic, and Vietnamese. It is widely used for web design, editorial design, logos, posters, and packaging.
Use Cases: Stylish branding and thematic web design.
Suggested Industries: Interior Design, Lifestyle.
Pros: Distinctive and stylish, with a nod to vintage elegance.
Cons: The idiosyncrasies of Josefin Sans may not be versatile for every application.
Raleway & Ledger (Free, Google Fonts)
Background: Ledger’s classic and clear-cut serifs provide a readable and authoritative counterpoint to Raleway’s sans-serif simplicity, offering a stately blend of form and function.
Ledger is a serif typeface designed by Eduardo Rodríguez Tunni and released by Google Fonts in 2011. It is based on the Scotch Roman style, which originated in Scotland in the early 19th century and became popular in the United States for printing newspapers and books. Ledger preserves the elegance and contrast of the Scotch Roman style, but also adapts it for modern digital devices with high-resolution screens. Ledger is suitable for both web and print applications, and can handle large amounts of text with clarity and grace. It is often used for editorial design, e-books, and long-form content that require a classic and trustworthy appearance.
Use Cases: Editorial design, e-books, and long-form content.
Suggested Industries: Publishing, Academic.
Pros: Balances modernity with traditional readability.
Cons: The formal nature of Ledger may not mesh with more casual brands.
These Raleway pairings have many uses, from the modern to the classic, making sure that your message is not only visible but emotional. Try different combinations in your next project and see your designs become clear and stylish.