Typography as structure
Compare letters in a paragraph as well as in a specimen. Size, spacing, and line length determine the reading experience alongside the typeface's visual character.
Colour in use
Test palettes in realistic proportions and with actual text. A set of attractive swatches is only a starting point for a usable design.
Practice beyond appearance
Define the brief, compare alternatives, and inspect the final output. These habits connect a visual idea with the conditions in which it needs to work.