This is so true! Hollywood needs to dig a little deeper. I would put Trajan on the “Endangered Fonts” list. Endangered of being overused and becoming, dare I say, the next Papyrus. That’s a grim forecast I realize, so let’s use Trajan sparingly.
It’s been said by more than one source that, “Helvetica is the most perfect font” and I have to admit that I kind of agree with them. All of them. Why? I’m not sure… it just works.
A friend of mine, fashion designer @signsealzip, was asking me the other day, “What’s the big deal about Helvetica… everyone’s saying it’s the perfect font.” My response was, “oh, but it is!”
There’s even a feature length movie about it!
What are your thoughts? Do you think Helvetica is the most perfect font? Is there something better? Gotham is making a big splash these days and has been hailed as “the next helvetica.” I’ll feature that next week. But really… why all the type-hype?
If you’re addicted to type and letters as I am, then you know how easy it is to be affected by them. Some fonts make me happy, some sad, while others just piss me off. “How?” you ask. Well just look at them. I guess it’s really not their fault; they didn’t set out to be bad type and ligatures. It was the poor execution of the designers and hobos that thought they’d take a stab at desktop publishing that did them in.
Overused, missused and missunderstood these are just a few of the fonts that piss me off:
Apple Chancery- the poor man’s “fancy font.” It looks cheap.
Arial Narrow- the Helvetica knock off. Don’t waste time trying immitate the most perfect font (Helvetica, that is).
Comic Sans- the casual and “fun font.” This doesn’t even look good in comic strips.
Papyrus- sorely overused, it was the first of its kind that was organic and a little rough around the edges.
Zapfino- Completely misunderstood, this has been overused in just about every market. And it’s awkward to work with.
So what did them in? Well, mostly their availability through Microsoft and in turn the general public; and people who don’t understand that fonts have a time and a place.
Please, let these fonts rest in peace. You can do better!!
We use it every day on our computers, we see it on street signs — and we take it for granted. Now, Gary Hustwit’s unique documentary introduces us to Helvetica, whose readability has made it the most popular font in the world. Interviews with designers and artists offer insight into the development, use and universal acceptance of Helvetica as the typeface of choice for everything from writing letters to creating corporate logos.
I am the Lead Creative for Gradient Overlay: Nashville's favorite advertising, design and social media group; certified mixologist; aspiring spin class instructor; professional bachelor; an ENFP at 27 who eats social media for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. #yumo!
My dream is to be part of something bigger than myself and to influence culture for the greater good.
