Variable fonts are a transformative evolution of type design that has huge performance and design implications for the web. When coupled with CSS custom properties and calculations, they make for a completely new way to think about typography and UX. This talk will show how these can be combined in a unique way to enable far more expressive layouts and dynamic scaling typography that reacts to screen size and other aspects of user context (light/dark modes for example). It’s a perfect complement for better design systems and accessibility, too. We'll also look at the latest developments in variable fonts including the new Google Fonts API that will serve them.

Speaker

JasonPamental
RWT.io
Web Typographer
Jason spends much of his time working with clients to establish their typographic systems and digital strategy, helping design and development teams works smarter and faster, and running workshops about all of the above. He is a seasoned design and user experience strategy leader with over 20 years’ experience on the web in both creative and technical roles. Clients range from type industry giants, Ivy League and High Tech, to the NFL and America’s Cup. He also researches and writes on typography for the web: he’s author of Responsive Typography from O’Reilly, articles for .Net Magazine, PRINT Magazine, HOW, Monotype.com, and frequent podcast guest. Author of online courses for Aquent’s Gymnasium platform and Frontend Masters. He’s an experienced speaker and workshop leader, having presented at over 50 national and international conferences. The real story: mainly he just follows Tristan and Tillie around Turner Reservoir, posting photos on Instagram.

https://nedcamp.org/sessions/2019/typographic-design-innovation-modern-css-variable-fonts