“The main difference in font vs typeface is that the former exists as part of the latter. Let's explain that more clearly with an example. We'll take Helvetica. Often referred to as a 'font', Helvetica is actually a typeface. It's a complete set of sans serif characters with a common design ethos. But at the same time, the typeface comprises a collection of fonts, each in a specific weight, style and size, with different levels of condensation as well as italic versions. For example, Helvetica Regular in a particular size.
“You could think of the typeface as being the whole family of fonts, which each have a different size and weight. One reason for the confusion is that if you download Helvetica and install it on your computer, at least on a Mac, you'll select it from the Font menu.
“This and other generalised uses of the word 'font' mean that many people use the term to refer to the whole family of fonts. In many cases, that's hardly a major issue, but when a creative director [or a modeler (ed.)] asks you what font you’ve used in a project, they probably want to know the precise details, i.e., the exact font you used, not the typeface. So perhaps you chose Helvetica as the typeface for the project, but the font might be Helvetica Regular 9 point.”
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