Smile More: A Playful Typeface for Web Design
I was working on a rebrand for a boutique online store that sells handmade jewelry, and the client wanted something fresh, approachable, and visually engaging. The challenge? Finding the right font to represent their brand's personality without sacrificing readability or professionalism. That’s when I stumbled upon Smile More.
Smile More is a playful handwritten typeface with a friendly and inviting feel. It has a natural flow and soft curves that give it a warm, personal touch. This kind of character is perfect for brands that want to feel more human and less corporate. What stood out to me was how versatile it felt—like it could work in both subtle and bold ways across different parts of the site.
Testing Smile More in a Hero Section
I first tested Smile More in the hero section of the homepage. The goal was to make the headline stand out while still feeling welcoming. I used it for the main title, "Handmade with Love," over a full-width image of a piece of jewelry. The font didn’t overpower the image, and its organic look complemented the craftsmanship of the products.
On mobile, the font remained legible even at smaller sizes. I made sure to adjust the line height and spacing so the text didn’t feel cramped. It was a good reminder that even a decorative typeface like Smile More needs some care to maintain clarity on responsive layouts.
Using Smile More for Branding and CTA Elements
Next, I experimented with using Smile More for call-to-action buttons and section headings. On the product pages, I paired it with a clean sans serif font for body copy. The contrast helped guide the user’s eye from the catchy headline to the detailed description and then to the "Add to Cart" button.
For the CTA buttons themselves, I kept them simple but used Smile More in a lighter weight for the button text. It added a nice touch of personality without making the buttons feel too whimsical or unprofessional.
In the footer, I used Smile More for the social media links and newsletter signup prompt. It gave the overall layout a cohesive feel, reinforcing the brand’s friendly tone throughout the entire experience.
Smile More in Different Contexts
One of the things I love about Smile More is how it can be used in various contexts. For instance, on the blog section of the site, I used it for post titles and category headers. It helped create visual interest without making the content feel cluttered. The font worked well as a decorative accent rather than the primary text.
On the landing page for a new product launch, I used Smile More for the headline and a few key phrases. The font’s energy matched the excitement around the product, and it felt like a natural fit for the campaign.
It’s also worth noting that Smile More doesn’t have to be the only font on your site. Pairing it with a more neutral font for body text helps keep the design balanced. I found that combining it with a modern sans serif font like Montserrat created a great contrast and improved the overall readability of the site.
Readability and Practical Considerations
While Smile More is a display font, I made sure not to use it for long paragraphs of text. Its handwritten style makes it less ideal for extended reading, which is why I reserved it for headlines, subheadings, and short phrases.
When considering web performance, I checked that the font had proper webfont support and that the file size wouldn’t impact loading times. It’s always important to ensure that any font you choose is optimized for fast delivery, especially if you're targeting users on mobile devices.
I also took a moment to review the licensing details to confirm that it was appropriate for commercial use. This step is crucial when working on client projects or building digital assets that will be used across multiple platforms.
Finally, I made sure to test Smile More across different background colors and image overlays. It looked great against light backgrounds, but I adjusted the color contrast slightly when placing it over darker images to ensure it remained readable and accessible.
Overall, Smile More became an essential part of the brand’s visual identity. It brought warmth and personality to the site, helping to build a stronger connection with the audience. Whether you're designing a creative portfolio, a coaching website, or a course sales page, Smile More offers a unique way to express your brand’s voice through typography.
