Typography is just as critical as the other elements such as the colors, graphics, and message. Whether for a poster, a church logo, or just a simple announcement post, there are fonts that communicators need to stay away from.
Our member Theresa Harnar just found out about this recently and decided to learn more by asking on our Facebook group about it. Here’s how it went.
The Post:
So apparently I am learning from you guys there are fonts that just make designers cringe. I had no idea. If you would, please list the ones you dislike the most so I can add them to my blacklist. (I do know comic sans is evil, although I don’t know why. But I have it on the list.)
Top 3
Comic Sans
Papyrus
Brush Script MT
Comments
“Comic Sans and Papyrus are the most common pariahs…” Robin Robinson
“Comic Sans, Papyrus, Times New Roman, and Zapfino off the top of my head. Oh, Bleeding Cowboy.” Travis Paulding
“I think this may just be a personal least favorite, but Scriptina.” Katy Wreyford
“Curlz.” Courtney Browning
“Brush Script MT is so 90s it hurts.” Jonathan Malm
“Copperplate gothic. It makes me think of when raised print business cards were the norm (the 90s)–the ones where you pick from a few colors…a few fonts… and a whole catalog of awful clip art. It was a cheap way to do business cards. I feel like I saw it a lot at auto mechanics.” Amy Anderson
“My first personal filter is easy: if I was using it 25 years ago in the Xerox /scotch tape age of making flyers, I won’t use it. Lol.” Ed Chavis
“I am shocked that no one has mentioned Taco Salad yet.” Todd Porter
“Personally, I can’t stand lobster. It got REALLY popular a few years ago, and, now, I cringe every time I see it.” Jimmy Lemon
“Papyrus. Andy. Impact. Courier. Bradley Hand. Brush script. Hobo. Mistral.” Tiffany Thompson
“I can’t think of a list of fonts off the top of my head, but I am obsessive about readability (my eyesight isn’t great to begin with) so if I can’t read it unless it’s HUGE or if I struggle to read it at all, it’s a no-go!. When I look at a font, the spacing of the letters is another thing for me, if they are uneven or awkward, I stay away. At the end of the day, it depends on what I am using them for, and just in taking a look at the font in question.” Kyra Beaty
Conclusion
Each typeface has its rightful place—except for Comic Sans. Overall, it really depends on personal preference. There are so many fonts out there for you to choose from. Not only are most of them free, but they’re also easy to download. Fonts can really make or break a graphic. It also depends on the tone of the project. You want your font to fit in with the overall mood and feeling of your project.
Have any fonts that you don’t like? Let us know in the comments!
