Getting Started with TypeKit
I finally got my invite to TypeKit today! I had to wait for an invite from a friend in the end. I must say, I see it as a great resource for the future.
I say that because until a large enough percentage of the population have moved over to a browser that supports @font-face, I doubt I will use it for any of the projects I am involved in.
I am a big fan of progressive enhancement, but a lot of clients still use IE6, and trying to tell them that they will only get the nice design and typography if they upgrade their browser just isn’t a realistic option. This is why I see it as a useful resource for the future. There is also the issue of reliability. Even the biggest and best sites have down time every now and then. Trying to explain this “bug” to a client will be a right pain.
On a positive note, this is a step in the right direction when it comes to using fonts legally on a website. It will help keep designers happy, as they will be able to use all the nice fonts and it will keep the font creators themselves happy, as they will get the credit and return they deserve.
It should also be said that the service is incredibly easy to use. Sign-up, choose your fonts, set your CSS hooks and copy-and-paste the supplied Javascript into the head of your HTML document. That is literally it!
I wait with eagerness for the first release of Font Deck to see how it compares to TypeKit!
