7 Fonts that should die
Friday, August 01, 2008
The problem with being a fontwhore is that you begin to recognize some of the tired, overused fonts that no designer seems to want to let go. If you see them, let out a scream and shoot them on sight.
Dear Joe doesn't look like your handwriting. It doesn't look like anyone's handwriting. If you want to use your own handwriting as a font, try Fontifier and leave poor Joe alone.
Dolphins is the go-to font for a fun, 70's look. Except it's always used in the weirdest, most inappropriate places.
Papyrus is used to communicate an ethnic or earthy tone. But because everyone uses it, now it just says lazy and unimaginative.
Many businesses love Copperplate. It's strong, it's powerful....it's ugly.
Brush Script is used by uninspired designers who think Times New Roman is "too serious."
Nearly every movie poster in existence uses Trajan to convey drama. Non-cinematic designers use the font to give something a now clichéd sense of importance.
Coolvetica, unlike its ubiquitous cousin, is nowhere near as cool as its name suggests.
If you're guilty of keeping these fonts on life support, it's time to broaden your repertoire. Check out some of the cool and useful fonts at urban fonts, Font Freak, dafont or 1001Fonts.com.
If you happen to find a unique font on the net that you'd like to use, but have no idea what it is, use WhatTheFont. The site will detect the font used in any URL or image and identify its name or provide similar alternatives. WhatTheFont is also available as an iPhone application.
Dear Joe doesn't look like your handwriting. It doesn't look like anyone's handwriting. If you want to use your own handwriting as a font, try Fontifier and leave poor Joe alone.
Dolphins is the go-to font for a fun, 70's look. Except it's always used in the weirdest, most inappropriate places.
Papyrus is used to communicate an ethnic or earthy tone. But because everyone uses it, now it just says lazy and unimaginative.
Many businesses love Copperplate. It's strong, it's powerful....it's ugly.
Brush Script is used by uninspired designers who think Times New Roman is "too serious."
Nearly every movie poster in existence uses Trajan to convey drama. Non-cinematic designers use the font to give something a now clichéd sense of importance.
Coolvetica, unlike its ubiquitous cousin, is nowhere near as cool as its name suggests.
If you're guilty of keeping these fonts on life support, it's time to broaden your repertoire. Check out some of the cool and useful fonts at urban fonts, Font Freak, dafont or 1001Fonts.com.
If you happen to find a unique font on the net that you'd like to use, but have no idea what it is, use WhatTheFont. The site will detect the font used in any URL or image and identify its name or provide similar alternatives. WhatTheFont is also available as an iPhone application.
Labels: design
87 Comments
Says:
What about that super-lame wannabe graffiti font everyone uses???? I thought for sure that would be on the list of all-time worst fonts.
doswheeler Says:
I dunno dude thsoe are some pretty cool looking fonts there. Why ditch them.
JT
www.Ultimate-Anonymity.com
JT
www.Ultimate-Anonymity.com
Marisa Says:
Ditto with tiana -- where's Comic Sans?
Dear Joe deserves some mercy. I'd still use it for static graphics.
Dear Joe deserves some mercy. I'd still use it for static graphics.
Mundinator Says:
I HATE PAPYRUS. Thanks for including it in the list. Papyrus is on my list of The 10 Things I Hate the Most.
Says:
This analysis is ridiculously subjective. No citations; no quants; just ... your taste. De gustibus non est disputandum is a two-way street: I see little value in your getting on a high horse and shouting things about fonts without anything to back what you are saying up (examples, statistics, reports, any data in general really, expert opinions in unison, etc.)
bengarang Says:
agreed... papyrus needs to go the way of all the earth, as well as brush script and comic sans.
trajan is a great font, its well drawn and proportional.. the only problem is people use it so horrifically and out of context. it came from the writing on the trajan column in rome. i think if more people knew that they would feel more inclined to use it in its proper context.
if i could add to the list i would tack on ARIAL. ugh. so hideous. most of the microsoft fonts are just laughable.
anyway, great post!
trajan is a great font, its well drawn and proportional.. the only problem is people use it so horrifically and out of context. it came from the writing on the trajan column in rome. i think if more people knew that they would feel more inclined to use it in its proper context.
if i could add to the list i would tack on ARIAL. ugh. so hideous. most of the microsoft fonts are just laughable.
anyway, great post!
Andrew Says:
I was photoshopping snarky substitute titles for new movies when I realized that virtually all of them are using the stock typefaces from a default install of Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Suite.
Brush Script, Mistral and Murray Hill should be expunged from the 21st century. They barely justified their existence past the year 1966.
Papyrus and Herculanum are beautifully designed fonts which should never, never have been made a default typeface for any software package. Over on the Apple front, Sand looks like a font built from bloody turds. Mercifully it's been purged from later releases of OS X.
Brush Script, Mistral and Murray Hill should be expunged from the 21st century. They barely justified their existence past the year 1966.
Papyrus and Herculanum are beautifully designed fonts which should never, never have been made a default typeface for any software package. Over on the Apple front, Sand looks like a font built from bloody turds. Mercifully it's been purged from later releases of OS X.
Says:
the 'comic sans' debate is something only typography wannabe's care about. I can't say I have any love for the font, but it's not as big a boogie man as these people would love you to believe.
BAz Says:
If Comic Sans was a person it would be Adam Sandler. Popular for no reason, belies a total lack of creativity and is mind-numbingly irritating.
Note to Bryan, above: Your attempt at font-guru elitism amuses me. To try and use this comment thread to give an inflated impression of yourself at the expense of others opinions is pretty pathetic, regardless of your skillset.
Note to Bryan, above: Your attempt at font-guru elitism amuses me. To try and use this comment thread to give an inflated impression of yourself at the expense of others opinions is pretty pathetic, regardless of your skillset.
Chuck Says:
Comic Sans is the worst font in the history of the world. An absolute travesty. ALL the other fonts on this list fade away in comparison to the fail-ness that is...Comic Sans.
Whisper Bot Says:
Agree with Papyrus - I'm personally still a fan of MS Trebuchet, just wish it was more of a universal font, rather than just in the Windows install base.
Says:
Before I even clicked on the link to this article I was all like, "OMG COMIC SANS MUST BE TOP OF THIS LIST!"
At least the popular vote is agains comic sans. some people submit their RESUMES in comic sans!!!
fie!
ps. love that comment about adam sandler :)
At least the popular vote is agains comic sans. some people submit their RESUMES in comic sans!!!
fie!
ps. love that comment about adam sandler :)
Says:
Okay, let's talk "unimaginative." How about the ubiquitous "unimaginative" lists bloggers such as yourself publish? As if publishing is some sort of vaccine against ignorant statements -- a point which this post obviously disproves.
Says:
"the 'comic sans' debate is something only typography wannabe's care about"
Oh, oh oh! Look at me so smart in my smart typography throne with my typography crown! I am the cream of the crop, nobody knows better letters than me. To think that these rank amateurs, these HACKS, these APES can IMITATE TASTE, with their INFANTILE vendetta against a well-known font. I scoff, SCOFF!
These pretenders, they know not the first thing, not the cold reassurance of the lead type, the irreplaceable authenticity of the hand-carved wood type, the terrifying hydraulic roar of the oddly anthropomorphic Heidelberg windmill.
Oh, oh oh! Look at me so smart in my smart typography throne with my typography crown! I am the cream of the crop, nobody knows better letters than me. To think that these rank amateurs, these HACKS, these APES can IMITATE TASTE, with their INFANTILE vendetta against a well-known font. I scoff, SCOFF!
These pretenders, they know not the first thing, not the cold reassurance of the lead type, the irreplaceable authenticity of the hand-carved wood type, the terrifying hydraulic roar of the oddly anthropomorphic Heidelberg windmill.
Says:
Great list, but tied with Copperplate for lazy are Skia, Budmo Jiggler and whatever that Cinco de Mayo/Tex-Mex menu font is.
Chuck Lasker Says:
Here's a terrible font:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uH3IWpWzkWI
Who is McCain trying to reach, kindergartners?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uH3IWpWzkWI
Who is McCain trying to reach, kindergartners?
Mike Says:
These are you choices? In a land of Lucida Handwriting you pic on Dear Joe? Comic Sans is loose in the wild and you aim to ax Coolvetica?
I agree with Brush Script and Papyrus, but Dolphin is much lower on my do-not-use list and Trajan and Copperplate are viable in some situations. Seriously, you get one free do over. Take it now.
I agree with Brush Script and Papyrus, but Dolphin is much lower on my do-not-use list and Trajan and Copperplate are viable in some situations. Seriously, you get one free do over. Take it now.
Says:
I can't believe there is such a thing as a person who calls themselves a 'fontwhore'. You should die along with the lousy fonts. OR why don't you come up with some better ones so that you can give your life real meaning.
Truly Ace Says:
I find that Coolvetica is still a good solid usable font you cut off the nasty bits that have totally gone out of fashion and don't match any job I ever come across, lol.
Says:
Looking at a site with a striped pattern and colour choice that makes me twitch I think I'll pass on the advice.
Tyler Says:
I, too, am surprised Comic Sans didn't make the list. It is quite an overused font. Eh, it's not that these are bad fonts, per se, it's just that they are overused.
Says:
I don't hate fonts, per se. I'm just tired of seeing the same old same old ones used over and over and freaking over again. It's not like there isn't a TON of other fonts out there already that kick so much more ass than the ones on this list. The only one I MIGHT use is dear joe, and that would only be to express some sort of an organic, free flowing feel just because of the flow of the letter forms. But then again, I already have fonts that look alot better than dear joe.
kj Says:
Heatwave. Heatwave is a font that makes me want to cry, kick babies and poke my eyeballs out. anyone who uses heatwave font should be made to listen to screeching cats and fingernails scraping on a chalkboard.
Heatwave sucks.
Heatwave sucks.
Says:
i found it interesting that the font used for spiderman became the official font for the playstation 3, and other such related media, granted sony owns the rights to the spiderman movies so i guess it was just a lazy quick use scenario when trying to one up their fancy playstation 2 font. also ive noticed i am legend and hancock both use an almost identicle font, perhaps only hancock has a bolder typeface.
Says:
No "verdana" on the list? Verdana is designer's nightmare. For completely unknown reason, its size does not fit to size of the other fonts. It's MS's attempt to make web pages good only on Windows.
Says:
This is a lame post. The author doesn't seem to know anything. This is just a tactic to generate site traffic. Thanks for wasting my time.
Says:
Meeeh the font does not mater long as the context is appropriate. The fonts are overused because they are common. This is not an article but snobbery for snobbery sakes.
Says:
I'm ready to shoot myself if another client wants me to use bl**dy Microgramma. If it was on this list, I could have pointed them to it and said "see... its not just me". Alas, my blood may be on your hands.
Says:
The only problem with downloading and installing fancy new fonts on your own computer to use in designs, is that unless the other person has the same font installed on their computer, then the only way the viewer will see it is if the font is used in an image (dumb idea from the beginning) or is used in Flash.
Simply sticking a font into a font family will do nothing but go for whatever default there is, when a viewer does not have the fancy font you use.
Simply sticking a font into a font family will do nothing but go for whatever default there is, when a viewer does not have the fancy font you use.
Valentine Crow Says:
Thanks > I effin HATE Papyrus, and I see it in every damn natural food store, every spa brochure, everywhere that they're trying to seem asian or into nature.
Says:
NEW LIST:
COMIC SANS
PAPYRUS
LUCINDA HANDWRITING
IMPACT
BRUSH SCRIPT
TRAJAN
COPPERPLATE GOTHIC
Much more suitable.
COMIC SANS
PAPYRUS
LUCINDA HANDWRITING
IMPACT
BRUSH SCRIPT
TRAJAN
COPPERPLATE GOTHIC
Much more suitable.
Revelation Now Says:
I think I concur with Brush script alone. Only art supplies entitled to that monstrosity.
I'm a little disappointed Courier and Courier New didn't make the list. Why is it that all web browsers insist on making me stare at this horribly difficult font to read? I'll tell you why, mono-spacing. But normally, users don't care about mono-spaced fonts unless they are working with code fragments, so its a little redundant for most comment forms.
I'm a little disappointed Courier and Courier New didn't make the list. Why is it that all web browsers insist on making me stare at this horribly difficult font to read? I'll tell you why, mono-spacing. But normally, users don't care about mono-spaced fonts unless they are working with code fragments, so its a little redundant for most comment forms.
monoglot Says:
Comic Sans is terrible, but Mistral is the worst-used font of all time.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mistral_(typeface)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mistral_(typeface)
Brent Says:
Believe it or not, there are many graphic newbies out there reading this post (ahem.... me). I appreciate you pointing out that these fonts are overused, because as a new designer, how could I possibly have known? In fact, I HAVE been guilty already of using them. But it seems pretty obvious to me that if you you really wanted people to stop using them, you wouldn't just sit on your soapbox and complain about their being overused. Rather, you would suggest some alternatives out there that could be used instead.
Says:
hmmm..
"The problem with being a fontwhore is that you begin to recognize some of the tired, overused fonts that no designer seems to want to let go. If you see them, let out a scream and shoot them on sight."
Rendered in none-other than the most ubiquitous font of all time: - Arial
too funny!
"The problem with being a fontwhore is that you begin to recognize some of the tired, overused fonts that no designer seems to want to let go. If you see them, let out a scream and shoot them on sight."
Rendered in none-other than the most ubiquitous font of all time: - Arial
too funny!
erik Says:
"Hot Sexy Hair and Nails" aka Mistral is at the top of my Font Death List. I can live with Copperplate, but Mistral must go!
Says:
aaAAAHHhhhh PAPYRUS........
Where would all the totally awesome, outdated looking wall calendars full of cute kittens be without that one!
There'd be no witty "Hang In There Kitty" style quotes to stare at for a whole month.
Bow down to PAPYRUS!
Where would all the totally awesome, outdated looking wall calendars full of cute kittens be without that one!
There'd be no witty "Hang In There Kitty" style quotes to stare at for a whole month.
Bow down to PAPYRUS!
Says:
And, yes, in case you didn't realize it yet, Comic Sans MS and Algerian should be added to the list.
CSSgirl Says:
First regarding the list - Trajan & Copperplate are fine fonts that used in the right way can be extremely effective.
The problem is NOT these fonts. Even old Comic Sans (which I don't like either) isn't a "bad" font. The problem is amateur designers or non-designers have these fonts readily available to them and default to them because they are available for common use.
Would have been nice though to actually see examples to back up your points or some stats.
Second to this anonymous commenter:
"The only problem with downloading and installing fancy new fonts on your own computer to use in designs, is that unless the other person has the same font installed on their computer, then the only way the viewer will see it is if the font is used in an image (dumb idea from the beginning) or is used in Flash."
Um why is that a dumb idea? Are you saying that people designing posters, advertisements, movie, television and other GUI type items should be regulated to Times New Roman, Arial, Verdana and Courier just because it's standard?
That's a dumb statement.
AND
"Simply sticking a font into a font family will do nothing but go for whatever default there is, when a viewer does not have the fancy font you use."
Actually you're wrong there buddy. Sticking the font into a font family in CSS will indeed call that font first if installed and the browser can access it. OTHERWISE it will default to the next font named in the list. If you knew how to stack fonts right wouldn't be an issue.
And, not to mention there is the nifty little thing you can use nowadays called sIFR which allows you to transform your text to a flash based output font that is click-able, can be highlighted and copied. Best of all? It displays as plain text in your HTML. Where's the bad?
Typography Essentials - Free Fonts, Tools and Tutorials.
The problem is NOT these fonts. Even old Comic Sans (which I don't like either) isn't a "bad" font. The problem is amateur designers or non-designers have these fonts readily available to them and default to them because they are available for common use.
Would have been nice though to actually see examples to back up your points or some stats.
Second to this anonymous commenter:
"The only problem with downloading and installing fancy new fonts on your own computer to use in designs, is that unless the other person has the same font installed on their computer, then the only way the viewer will see it is if the font is used in an image (dumb idea from the beginning) or is used in Flash."
Um why is that a dumb idea? Are you saying that people designing posters, advertisements, movie, television and other GUI type items should be regulated to Times New Roman, Arial, Verdana and Courier just because it's standard?
That's a dumb statement.
AND
"Simply sticking a font into a font family will do nothing but go for whatever default there is, when a viewer does not have the fancy font you use."
Actually you're wrong there buddy. Sticking the font into a font family in CSS will indeed call that font first if installed and the browser can access it. OTHERWISE it will default to the next font named in the list. If you knew how to stack fonts right wouldn't be an issue.
And, not to mention there is the nifty little thing you can use nowadays called sIFR which allows you to transform your text to a flash based output font that is click-able, can be highlighted and copied. Best of all? It displays as plain text in your HTML. Where's the bad?
Typography Essentials - Free Fonts, Tools and Tutorials.
nycdesigner Says:
End Dom Casual's life. My wife won't let me kill that family residing locally on her Mac, though.
Lucyland Says:
Although it's past its heyday, Lithos was a ghastly excuse for ghettoizing anything ethnic--from Mexican Restaurants, Hawaiian businesses, and Greek festival posters, and so on. That irritating capital "Y" always made my teeth itch. It must have been replaced by Papyrus... Who ever made Zapf Chancery available to non-designers ought to hang their head in shame.
jiltedone Says:
why didn't comics sans not make it to the list... its one of 'the' most used fonts i know, along with brush script.
oudeis Says:
While I hate to hit a font when it's down Comic Sans is so all over the place as in "a mess" plus "ubiquitous" that its elimination is a worthy goal for everyone with eyes and a brain.
See http://bancomicsans.com/home.html
Ew!!!
See http://bancomicsans.com/home.html
Ew!!!
matchstick media Says:
This list is so right on. I can't stand any of these fonts...as far as what is not on the list...I think comic sans was only ommitted because it is so blah that even the guy who wrote this blog doesn't even care about it.
one more font that is so over used is luna bar.
matchstickmedia.net
one more font that is so over used is luna bar.
matchstickmedia.net
Malcolm Hall Says:
Actually, experts say Comic Sans is the best font for using to teach kids with learning difficulties, for example dyslexia.
Jonathan Says:
Ya, I would say that though there is a time and place for everything, that things can be ruined by over use. I think we should use stuff like that one Burton uses for its "Its always snowing somewhere video". Um.... what font is that?
Says:
Wow! All the people who hate comic sans so bad are making me yawn with their sameness.
OK, we have all joined forces, and we have decided to hate this one thing. Anyone who likes it, is banned from the tree house.
The secret knock must be in approved typeface, we only approve of a select handful.
Get a grip people, and a shred of creativity. If you hate it so bad, design a new one, or uh, don't use it and let it go. Breathe when you see it used, it isn't going to kill you. If that is the kind of thing that can ruin your day, you need to get out more.
OK, we have all joined forces, and we have decided to hate this one thing. Anyone who likes it, is banned from the tree house.
The secret knock must be in approved typeface, we only approve of a select handful.
Get a grip people, and a shred of creativity. If you hate it so bad, design a new one, or uh, don't use it and let it go. Breathe when you see it used, it isn't going to kill you. If that is the kind of thing that can ruin your day, you need to get out more.
Yes, yes, it is a problem with being a font whore. I scream and cover my eyes every time I see Brush Script looming at me from newspaper ads and billboards, I wince at the horrific mockery of a decent font that is Papyrus and I cringe so very much at Copperplate...
Ah, man, it sucks being able to look around and name fonts and then subsequentally go YOU COULD MAKE IT LOOK SO MUCH MORE ORIGINAL WHY NOT TRY SOME OLD CLAUDE OR MAYBE MINION? MYRIAD?
I actually deleted Brush Script and Comic Sans and Lucidia Handwriting from my computer. Sadly, Copperplate and Papyrus escaped the purge... never did have Dolphin or Coolvectia.
It wasn't that hard and the temptation is GONE, other designers.
Gone.
All gone.
Thanks for the awesome link. WhatTheFont is awesome.
August 1, 2008 7:07 PM