Sidethree: A Bold Display Font for Digital Creativity
I was working on a redesign for a boutique online store that sells handmade jewelry, and I needed a font that would stand out but still feel approachable. After some testing, I landed on Sidethree. It's a quirky bold display font with a unique letterform that immediately caught my eye. The way the letters curve and extend gives it a whimsical vibe that fits perfectly with the brand’s creative identity.
Sidethree isn’t just about being different—it’s about making an impression. Its character shapes are playful yet refined, which makes it ideal for hero sections where you want to draw attention without overwhelming the user. I used it in the main headline of the homepage, placing it over a subtle image of a necklace. The contrast between the bold font and the soft background made the text pop while keeping the overall look elegant.
One of the first things I noticed when using Sidethree was how it affected readability. On desktop, it performed well even at larger sizes, but I had to be careful with mobile layouts. I tested it across several screen sizes and found that pairing it with a clean sans serif font like Lato or Montserrat helped maintain visual balance. For body copy, I stuck with a simple sans serif to avoid clutter and ensure legibility.
When it comes to digital branding, typography plays a huge role in shaping perception. Sidethree added a touch of personality to the website without compromising professionalism. It worked especially well in call-to-action areas, where its boldness encouraged users to click through to product pages. I also used it sparingly in section headings, ensuring that it didn’t overpower the content below.
For a project like this, I always consider how the font will behave in different contexts. Sidethree is best suited for short phrases, headlines, and decorative accents rather than long paragraphs. That said, I experimented with using it in a few small buttons and saw that it gave them a more dynamic feel. Just a few words in Sidethree can transform a button from generic to memorable.
Another thing I looked into was font pairing. Sidethree has a distinct style, so I wanted to make sure it complemented other elements on the page. I paired it with a modern sans serif for body text and a classic serif for footers. This combination created a layered hierarchy that guided the user’s eye naturally from the header down to the content and then to the footer links.
Readability is key, especially on mobile. I checked how Sidethree rendered on smaller screens and made sure there was enough spacing between characters. I also adjusted the line height slightly to prevent any awkward grouping of letters. When using it on dark backgrounds, I increased the contrast by adding a light overlay to the image underneath, ensuring the text remained clear and easy to read.
Before finalizing the design, I made sure to review the font’s technical details. Sidethree includes several styles and weights, which gave me flexibility in different parts of the site. It’s available as a webfont, so it loaded quickly and worked seamlessly across all devices. I also confirmed that it supports multiple languages, which was important since the store caters to an international audience.
Font licensing was another consideration. Since the website is commercial, I ensured that the font came with proper commercial use rights. This allowed me to confidently use it in the header, buttons, and promotional banners without any legal issues.
As I continued to test Sidethree in various sections of the site, I found it to be a versatile addition to the design system. It worked well in the navigation bar, as a title for blog posts, and even in the email newsletter headers. Its unique letterforms brought a sense of creativity and originality to every element it touched.
In the end, Sidethree helped elevate the brand’s online presence. It wasn’t just a font—it became part of the brand’s identity. Whether used in a hero section, a landing page headline, or a promotional graphic, it consistently delivered a bold and memorable visual impact that aligned with the brand’s mission.
If you're looking for a display font that stands out while maintaining usability, Sidethree is worth considering. Its quirky yet refined style offers endless possibilities for creative projects, from e-commerce sites to personal portfolios. Just remember to pair it wisely and test it across different platforms to ensure it works as intended.
