Big Points: A Quirky Handwritten Font for Editorial Design
There’s something about the moment when you open a design file and begin selecting typefaces. It feels like choosing the right voice for your message. Recently, I was tasked with redesigning the header of a lifestyle blog that focuses on mindfulness and creative living. The client wanted something fresh—something that felt personal yet professional. That’s when I discovered Big Points, a handwritten font from Script Amp that immediately caught my eye.
A Personal Touch in Professional Spaces
Big Points is not just another decorative script. Its character lies in its balance between whimsy and clarity. Each letter carries a unique, hand-drawn quality that feels warm and inviting, but it avoids the pitfalls of many handwriting fonts by maintaining a consistent rhythm and legibility. This makes it ideal for use in places where personality matters without sacrificing readability—like article titles, pull quotes, or newsletter headers.
Editorial Mood and Publication Identity
In editorial design, the mood set by typography can be as powerful as the content itself. Big Points has a playful yet refined energy, perfect for publications that want to convey creativity, authenticity, or approachability. For example, when I used it in the title section of a digital magazine layout for a wellness issue, it added a sense of joy and spontaneity that aligned well with the theme. The font didn’t shout; it charmed.
It also helped establish a strong publication identity. In an age where so many blogs and magazines use the same sans serif fonts for headlines, Big Points offers a refreshing alternative. It gives the reader a sense that they’re engaging with something crafted, something intentional.
Practical Use in Content Layouts
I’ve tested Big Points across several real-world projects. One of the first places I tried it was in a recipe ebook cover. The title read “Seasonal Simplicity,” and using Big Points gave it a handcrafted feel that resonated with the audience. Readers commented that the cover felt like a personal invitation rather than a generic product listing.
Another test case was a printable planner for a productivity brand. Here, Big Points worked beautifully for chapter headings and decorative accents, especially in sections like “Weekly Reflection” and “Monthly Goals.” It added a layer of warmth that contrasted nicely with the clean sans serif body text, creating a visual hierarchy that guided users through the layout effortlessly.
Readability Across Formats
While Big Points shines in display settings, it’s important to consider how it performs across different formats. On screen, it reads well at larger sizes, particularly on high-resolution monitors. But when exported to PDF or printed, I noticed that the subtleties of the strokes become more pronounced. This can actually enhance the aesthetic if the context is right—like in a course PDF or a wedding guide—but it requires careful handling in terms of contrast and spacing.
For mobile layouts, I recommend using it sparingly and always ensuring there’s enough padding around the text. The quirky nature of the font means it can lose some of its charm when compressed into small spaces. Long-form content should avoid using Big Points in body copy entirely. Instead, reserve it for headings, pull quotes, or decorative elements where it can truly stand out.
Font Pairing and Brand Consistency
One of the key strengths of Big Points is its versatility in font pairing. As a display font, it pairs well with readable serif or sans serif fonts for body copy. In one project, I paired it with Lora for a coaching workbook. The combination felt balanced—one bringing warmth and creativity, the other grounding the layout with structure and clarity.
When considering brand consistency, it’s essential to evaluate how expressive Big Points is in relation to your overall design language. If your publication leans toward minimalism, it might need to be used carefully. However, for brands that value a human touch, it can become a signature element of their typographic style.
What to Consider Before Using Big Points
- Styles and Alternates: Make sure to check what styles are included—such as ligatures or alternate characters—which can add richness to your design.
- Licensing: Since this is a commercial font, confirm the licensing terms before using it in paid newsletters, printables, or client projects.
- Multilingual Support: If your publication reaches a global audience, ensure the font supports the languages you need.
- File Formats: Depending on your platform, verify that the font comes in the necessary formats like OTF or TTF for web and print use.
Where Big Points Truly Excels
Big Points is most effective when used in short bursts. Think of it as the cherry on top of your editorial cake. It works wonderfully in the following scenarios:
- Cover text for ebooks or digital magazines
- Pull quotes in long articles or blog posts
- Section headings in worksheets or planners
- Newsletter headers or feature banners
- Decorative accents in branding materials
However, it’s not the best choice for dense paragraphs or formal reports. Its expressive style is better suited for environments where visual impact is key and reading speed isn’t a priority.
Realistic Applications in Modern Typography
Let me share a few practical examples of where Big Points has been useful in my workflow:
- Wedding Guide Covers: The romantic and personal tone of a wedding guide benefits from a script font with character. Big Points brought a soft elegance to these covers while still feeling modern.
- Blogging Headers: For a redesign of a food blog, using Big Points in the main navigation and post titles created a friendly, approachable vibe. Readers mentioned it made them feel like the blog was written by someone they knew.
- Course PDF Titles: When designing a digital course for aspiring writers, I used Big Points for the title page and chapter openers. It helped break up the monotony of the standard sans serif and added a creative flair that matched the course’s mission.
Each time, I found that Big Points contributed to a stronger editorial mood. It’s not over-the-top, but it’s distinct enough to make your content memorable. The rhythm of the letters helps guide the eye naturally, which is crucial in both digital and print publishing.
Final Thoughts on Big Points
If you’re looking for a premium font that brings personality to your content without overwhelming it, Big Points is worth exploring. It fits seamlessly into many aspects of editorial design—from headers to highlights—while supporting the emotional tone of the publication.
Remember, though, that even the most beautiful fonts have their limits. Big Points is not a workhorse for body text, but it’s a standout performer in the right spots. Use it to draw attention, create contrast, and inject a bit of soul into your designs.
As a designer who values both form and function, I appreciate how Big Points bridges the gap between creative expression and usability. It’s a reminder that good typography doesn’t just look nice—it feels right. And in today’s content-driven world, that kind of connection can make all the difference.
