What does your gut say? Have you done any combining? Can you show us some examples? :^)

I am sorry. I have no samples. I thought of starting the work once I get some suggestions regarding the fonts.

Are there any normally recommended fonts for designing certificates, I mean any favorites which people have been using for ages and have become almost standard for them?

I think the problem with most certificates is they do rely on what has been done. The intent of a certificate is to give the recipient tangible proof of there achievement. With that it needs to “feel” and “look” worthy of this.

For the cursive script I might recommend Zaner Pro. The upside of this is two-fold. It is based upon the writing style of a lettering teacher who might have done something which needs decoration. The second being it was digitized by our own Paul Hunt. Take a peek at it. I’d say the way the name appears will set the tone for the rest of it.

Is the border set, or are you designing that as well?

Thank you Ms.Tiffany. Yeah the borders set. But instead of the usual borders surrounding all over I decided to use just two, on the top and bottom with a simple design. I am sorry I know I am not making much sense typing. I will upload a preview once I am done. Zaner looks cool though. Might check it out.

I’d say as the border is set, it should be taken into consideration when you are choosing the typefaces.

Ok here you go. I am no expert in designing. Please give your opinion. I have not used any scripts for this. Them I will be using for the other certificates.

Removed the pic.

The fonts used are Scala Serif & Sans + Old English Text

I detect a serif on the underlying shield. Is that Scala Serif? If not, have you considered using it?

One point … Can you get the name of the Dean in sans, as well as the signature? Most university officials signatures cannot be read by humans :) and in the future the grad might want to know the name that is scribbled on the form.

Also, be aware that the college might want more than one signature. When I was involved with the University of Toronto, there were up to four signatures on the degrees.

Thank you for the suggestions. The font used on the logo is Palatino. Yes the name of the Dean will be mentioned in Sans. This is just a rough outline. What do you think of it so far? As far as the no of persons signing it, there would be only one and hence the space for one.

I have one more crazy idea. IS it okay to put a frame around it. I mean in photoshop using some nice wood texture. Sorry if it is too silly.

Also what about if I just play around with the hues and make similar certificates (changing the borders of course) for other purposes like participation in a camp, best student and faculty etc.

And finally does it look okay from a University point of view

TIA

LordKV

A good certificate needs…

- lots of white space
- a pattern somewhere
- black ink + red emphasis
- to be letterpress printed

A typical certificate has…

- a bunch of blackface type
- a bunch of calligraphic type
- printed on a lazer printer
- been stuck in a $2 frame

So, my advice would be to design a certificate that you’d fine aesthetically pleasing enough to hang up on a wall as an actual piece of art.

Thanks aluminum. I will keep in mind these rules for the rest when designing.