Simple Thinking: A Handwritten Font for Elegant Editorial Design
While working on a redesign for a lifestyle blog’s weekly newsletter, I found myself stuck on one of the most foundational design choices—font selection. The goal was to create a header that felt personal, warm, and editorially refined. After testing a few script fonts, I landed on Simple Thinking, and the difference was immediate. Its soft, flowing curves and consistent rhythm gave the layout a sense of intimacy without sacrificing professionalism.
Simple Thinking is a Script Amp typeface, designed with a clean, handwritten aesthetic that feels both modern and timeless. It’s not overly ornate, which makes it ideal for content creators who want to maintain a sense of elegance without veering into the overly decorative. The font has a natural cadence, as if each letter were written with a single, confident stroke.
How Simple Thinking Fits Into Real Editorial Layouts
For a recent recipe ebook I was formatting, I wanted the title page to feel inviting and personal—like a handwritten note from the author. I used Simple Thinking for the main title and paired it with a clean serif font for the body text. The contrast between the two created a clear visual hierarchy, drawing the reader’s eye naturally from the cover to the introduction.
Similarly, in a digital magazine layout I designed for a wellness publication, I used the font for pull quotes and section headers. It added a human touch to an otherwise structured layout, giving the pages a more editorial and curated feel. Because of its legibility at medium sizes, it also worked well in mobile-responsive designs, where clarity is key.
Best Use Cases for Simple Thinking
While Simple Thinking shines in titles and short-form text, it’s best used sparingly in longer content. It’s a display font at heart—perfect for blog headers, ebook covers, newsletter graphics, chapter openers, and decorative accents. It works especially well in printables like coaching workbooks or planners, where a soft, handwritten tone helps guide the reader emotionally through the material.
However, for long-form reading like article bodies or instructional content, it’s better to pair it with a more readable serif or sans serif font. I’ve found that using Simple Thinking for headings and a classic serif like Georgia or a modern sans like Lato for body copy creates a balanced and engaging reading experience across both screen and print formats.
Readability Across Mediums
One of the first things I tested when trying Simple Thinking was how it rendered on mobile devices. The font holds up well at moderate sizes, though I’d recommend using it for short bursts of text rather than full paragraphs. In PDF exports, especially for guides or course materials, the font maintains its elegance and clarity, especially when embedded correctly.
For print use—like in a wedding planning guide or a printable journal—I found that the font’s consistent weight and spacing made it easy to read in physical form. Just be sure to check the font’s licensing if you’re using it in commercial printables or digital downloads, as some fonts require extended licenses for resale or template use.
Font Pairing for a Cohesive Brand Identity
One of the joys of working with Simple Thinking is how well it pairs with other fonts to build a strong brand identity. In a recent branding project for a coaching workbook, I combined it with a minimalist sans serif for navigation and captions, and a warm serif for body text. This trio created a layered yet harmonious visual language that extended across the workbook, social media graphics, and email headers.
When pairing Simple Thinking with other typefaces, consider contrast and balance. A modern sans serif like Montserrat or Open Sans helps ground the font in contemporary design, while a classic serif like Merriweather or Playfair Display enhances its editorial appeal. The key is to let the handwritten charm of Simple Thinking stand out while supporting it with clean, readable companions.
What to Look for Before Using Simple Thinking
Before embedding Simple Thinking into your next project, it’s important to review the font files and available styles. I always check for alternates, ligatures, and multilingual support, especially when designing for a global audience or creating non-English content. The font should include multiple weights if you plan to use it across different elements like headers, subheaders, and quotes.
Also, make sure the file formats are compatible with your design tools—most modern fonts come in OTF, TTF, and WOFF formats, which are widely supported across platforms. And don’t forget to confirm the licensing terms, particularly if you’re using the font in ebooks, templates, or client-facing materials. A commercial font license is essential for most publishing and design-for-hire work.
Bringing Personality to Your Pages
In one of my recent projects—a digital magazine layout for a slow living publication—I used Simple Thinking for the cover title and a few key section openers. The font brought a sense of warmth and personality that aligned perfectly with the magazine’s tone. It wasn’t just about aesthetics; it was about creating a reading experience that felt intentional, thoughtful, and human.
Whether you’re designing a newsletter header, a printable planner, or a course PDF, choosing the right font can make all the difference. With its elegant strokes and approachable charm, Simple Thinking has become a go-to in my design toolkit for any project that needs a touch of handwritten grace without sacrificing clarity or professionalism.
