Making Strides Typeface Review for Brand Design
I remember staring at a blank artboard last Tuesday, tasked with refreshing the visual identity for a local artisanal bakery. The client wanted something that felt handmade but professional, warm but legible. I scrolled through my library of Display Fonts, skipping over the usual rigid sans-serifs and overly ornate scripts. That is when I pulled up Making Strides. The moment I typed out the shop name, the vibe shifted. It wasn't just text; it was an invitation. Making Strides is a bold display font designed with a warm, approachable soul, and in that specific project context, it did exactly what a primary brand typeface should do: it established immediate emotional resonance.
Using Making Strides for Boutique Logo Design and Brand Identity
When you are building a brand identity from scratch, the logo is the anchor. Making Strides shines here because of its distinct personality. The typeface features chunky, ultra-rounded letterforms that mimic the soft, squishy texture of dough or clay, which made it perfect for the bakery project. But this versatility extends beyond food brands. I have since tested it on a mockup for a children’s educational app and a cozy candle label. In each case, the font’s inherent friendliness lowered the barrier between the brand and the consumer.
As a designer, I look for fonts that hold their weight without feeling heavy. Making Strides achieves this balance. The strokes are thick enough to command attention on a storefront sign or a website header, yet the rounded terminals keep the mood light and playful. When I placed it on a business card draft, the letters didn't just sit on the page; they seemed to bounce slightly, creating a dynamic visual hierarchy that draws the eye naturally. For entrepreneurs and small business owners, this means your logo isn't just a mark; it is a conversation starter. However, because it is a display font, it works best as the hero element. I would not recommend using it for the fine print on the back of that business card. Save the tiny details for a clean, neutral sans serif.
Making Strides in Packaging Design and Product Labeling
Packaging design is where typography meets tactile experience. If you are selling physical products, whether it is skincare, homemade jams, or craft supplies, the font on your label needs to communicate quality and care. Making Strides excels in this arena. I applied it to a series of packaging mockups for a hypothetical line of organic soaps. The chunky, ultra-rounded letterforms complemented the soft, organic shapes of the product illustrations beautifully. The font feels substantial, giving the impression that the product inside is equally substantial and well-crafted.
One thing to note when using Making Strides for packaging is spacing. Because the letters are wide and bold, they need room to breathe. Cramping them together can reduce readability and make the design feel cluttered. I found that increasing the tracking slightly allowed each character to stand out, enhancing the premium feel of the design assets. This is crucial for shelf appeal. In a crowded retail environment, a logo set in Making Strides pops because it contrasts sharply with the thin, corporate typography used by many competitors. It signals that this brand is different—more human, more approachable, and more fun.
Web Design Headers and Social Media Graphics with Making Strides
Digital presence requires fonts that load well and read clearly across devices. Making Strides translates surprisingly well to web design, particularly for hero sections and call-to-action buttons. I tested it on a landing page layout for a creative studio. The bold weight ensured that the headline was readable even on smaller mobile screens, while the rounded edges softened the digital harshness, making the site feel more welcoming. It is not just about aesthetics; it is about user experience. A friendly font can make a visitor stay longer, feeling more comfortable exploring the content.
Social media graphics are another strong suit for this typeface. In the fast-scrolling world of Instagram and Pinterest, you have seconds to capture attention. Making Strides grabs that attention. I created a set of quote templates using the font, pairing it with pastel backgrounds. The result was highly engaging. The font’s personality shines through in short phrases and punchy headlines. It is ideal for content creators who want their graphics to feel personal and authentic rather than corporate and sterile. Just remember, this is a display font. Do not try to write long captions in it. Use it for the hook, the title, or the key takeaway, and pair it with a simple, highly legible sans serif for the body text.
Font Pairing Strategies for Making Strides in Editorial Design
No font exists in a vacuum. To get the most out of Making Strides, you need to understand how to pair it. Its bold, rounded nature demands contrast. I have had great success pairing it with a classic serif font for editorial designs, such as magazines or lookbooks. The juxtaposition of the modern, chunky display font with the traditional elegance of a serif creates a sophisticated yet contemporary look. Alternatively, pairing it with a minimalist geometric sans serif keeps the design clean and modern, letting Making Strides take center stage as the expressive element.
Avoid pairing it with other decorative or handwritten fonts. The visual noise becomes overwhelming, and the message gets lost. The goal is balance. Let Making Strides bring the warmth and personality, and let your secondary font handle the structure and information delivery. This approach ensures consistency and professionalism across all your brand materials, from flyers to annual reports. It also helps in establishing a clear visual hierarchy, guiding the reader’s eye through the content in a logical, enjoyable way.
Practical Licensing and Usage Notes for Commercial Projects
Before you download and start designing, always check the licensing terms. Whether you are a freelancer working on a client project or a business owner updating your own branding, understanding commercial font licensing is non-negotiable. Ensure that your license covers the intended use, whether that is print-on-demand products, web embedding, or large-scale signage. Making Strides is a powerful tool in your design toolkit, but like any professional asset, it must be used correctly to avoid legal issues down the line.
Also, consider the file formats available. For web use, ensure you have the appropriate webfont files to maintain crisp rendering across browsers. For print, high-quality OTF or TTF files will ensure your packaging and posters look sharp. Testing the font in your specific workflow before finalizing any client deliverables is a best practice. Print a test sheet. View it on multiple screens. Check how it looks in black and white as well as color. This due diligence ensures that Making Strides performs as expected, delivering that cozy, creative vibe your brand promises.
