11.07.2011

Top 5: Most Annoying Typefaces

Since I started studying to become a designer, I have become a type snob. Like those annoying people who only drink $100+ bottles of vintage wine and cannot fathom why Boone's Farm is still in existence, I use certain fonts and completely shun others. For example, when I have the option of using Helvetica, why should I settle for Arial? If you had the choice between a Lexus and a Kia, which would you choose? I rest my case.

One of my biggest pet peeves since becoming a graphic designer is bad or cheesy type. Or worse, decent type used in the absolute worst way possible. Below are my Top 5 most misused, overused, and otherwise annoying typefaces.

5. Jokerman

If you've ever had an office party you've probably seen this font. Someone took it upon themselves to make up a poster in Word, looked for the kookiest font they could find, and printed it out on neon pink copy paper. I don't think a typeface could have a more stereotypically 90s style.

4. Bleeding Cowboys







This is currently the patron font of county music.  I remember being intrigued by the combination of swashes and wild west spokes the first time I saw it, but now all you have to do is browse the country rack of your local F.Y.E. to find 30 bad examples of it as album cover art. I know you're trying to be a little bit country and a little bit rock and roll, but this isn't the way to do it (I'm looking at you, Daughtry).

3. Curlz MT

Are you working on a cute project? Use Curlz! Actually please don't, but that's the mentality behind the popularity of this font. I've seen everything from baby announcements to bakery logos in this typeface, and every single time it has left me feeling like someone drowned a kitten. It's just wrong. Don't do it.

2. Papyrus







 I've never found the reference, but I'm starting to think that somewhere in the Old Testament it says "thou shalt use Papyrus on church bulletins to represent Biblical times." I have seen more cheesy Easter Sunday pre-designed programs with this typeface than I even care to count. It's also used a lot for Egyptian themed projects, which makes anything about Moses a Papyrus jackpot.
 
1. Comic Sans






If you couldn't anticipate this being #1, then obviously you don't know any designers, because this is a major crux in the design world. It is so hated that there is an entire movement dedicated to getting rid of it (bancomicsans.com). Designers dislike it not just because it's a badly designed font, but because people constantly use it inappropriately. It is not okay to print medical forms for emergency room use in this typeface; it will make your hospital look like it's marketing to babies. It's been used everywhere from daycare logos to public letters to the press (good job, Dan Gilbert) and it always makes the person using it look like they are 12. It's almost sad that this font has turned out so horrible, since the creator based it off of lettering found in the comics The Dark Knight and Watchmen.

*Bonus!*

If you love typefaces and laughing at design inside jokes, check out this video of a Font Conference made by CollegeHumor:



1 comment:

  1. I totally called Papyrus and Comic Sans. I'm so proud of myself. However I was unaware until a moment ago of the existence of the website Ban Comic Sans.... I'm intending to include it in my next compilation of links on my blog!! So funny!

    ReplyDelete

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