What the Font?: Sans Serif

As a follow up to my post about serif typefaces, I thought I'd enlighten you about sans serif typefaces (again with the help of Wikipedia).

To refresh you on your vocabulary words, a typeface is a set of one or more fonts, in one or more sizes, designed with stylistic unity, each comprising a coordinated set of glyphs. Times New Roman or Arial are examples of a typeface. A font designates a specific member of a type family such as roman, boldface, or italic type, while typeface designates a consistent visual appearance or style which can be a "family" or related set of fonts.

A sans serif typeface is one that does not have the small features called "serifs" at the end of strokes, I often refer to them as "feet." The term comes from the French word sans, meaning "without." Think: sans feet. In invitation and announcement design, sans serif typefaces suggest a modern, contemporary feel. They are clean and simplified. They can be paired with serif typefaces or script fonts for a unique look. I love the challenge of finding the perfect combination of typefaces for an invitation or announcement. It's quite a science!

Below are a few examples of sans serif typefaces. If you can name all four, I'll give you a prize!