Extra Giant: A Bold Display Font for Editorial Design
There’s a certain thrill that comes with choosing the right font for a publication cover. It’s like selecting the perfect outfit for an event—something that speaks volumes before a word is even read. Recently, I found myself in that very situation while redesigning a lifestyle blog header. The goal was simple: find a typeface that felt modern yet approachable, bold enough to stand out but not so overpowering it lost its charm. That’s when I discovered Extra Giant.
Extra Giant is a display font that commands attention without demanding it. Its cool, bold, and rough textured design gives it a unique character that feels both contemporary and slightly edgy. It’s not the kind of font you’d use for a formal report or dense academic text, but rather one that thrives on headlines, pull quotes, and decorative accents. It has a rhythm that feels natural, almost like the beat of a heartbeat, drawing the eye forward with each letter.
A Lifestyle Blog Redesign with Extra Giant
I tested Extra Giant on a lifestyle blog that focuses on travel and wellness. The previous header used a clean sans serif font, which worked well for readability but lacked personality. Replacing it with Extra Giant added a layer of visual interest. The texture of the font gave the blog a more tactile feel, as if the reader could almost run their fingers over the words.
For the main title, I used Extra Giant in a medium weight, paired with a lighter sans serif font for subheadings. This combination created a strong visual hierarchy, guiding the reader from the main headline to supporting details with ease. The contrast between the two fonts also helped maintain a sense of balance, ensuring the layout didn’t feel too chaotic.
One of the most striking aspects of Extra Giant is how it handles space. Each letter has a generous amount of negative space, making it highly legible even at smaller sizes. This makes it ideal for use in magazine covers, digital magazines, or print materials where the font needs to be both eye-catching and readable.
Using Extra Giant in Content Layouts
While Extra Giant excels as a display font, it’s important to consider where it fits best within a content layout. It works beautifully for titles, chapter openers, and pull quotes. However, it may not be the best choice for body copy, small captions, or dense paragraphs. The font’s expressive nature can become overwhelming in long-form reading, especially on screens or mobile devices.
In a recipe ebook I recently designed, I used Extra Giant for the chapter titles and section headers. The font brought a sense of energy and excitement to the content, matching the playful tone of the recipes. For the body text, I paired it with a clean serif font, which provided a nice contrast and ensured readability wasn’t compromised.
Another great use case for Extra Giant is in newsletter graphics. When designing a monthly email for a creative course, I used the font for the subject line and call-to-action buttons. The boldness of the font helped draw attention to key messages, making the newsletter more engaging and visually appealing.
Readability and Practical Considerations
Despite its bold appearance, Extra Giant is surprisingly readable, especially in larger sizes. When used for screen reading, it performs well on both desktop and mobile devices. However, it’s always a good idea to test the font in different contexts—especially if you’re planning to use it in PDF exports or print materials. Some variations in spacing or kerning might require fine-tuning depending on the medium.
For those looking to use Extra Giant in commercial projects, it’s essential to check the included styles, alternates, ligatures, weights, and multilingual support. The font should also come with proper licensing for use in ebooks, templates, printables, paid newsletters, client publications, or digital downloads. Always ensure that your font choices align with the terms of use and that you’re using them legally and ethically.
When pairing Extra Giant with other fonts, think about creating a harmonious balance. A complementary serif or sans serif font can help keep the design cohesive while allowing the display font to shine in its intended roles. Experiment with different combinations to see what works best for your specific project.
Extra Giant is more than just a font—it’s a tool that can elevate the visual identity of any editorial design. Whether you're working on a digital magazine, a printable planner, or a coaching workbook, this font offers endless possibilities for creative expression. Use it wisely, and it will reward you with a design that feels both bold and beautiful.
