Alternatives for horrible fonts
/It's no secret that I LOVE fonts! Fonts are kind of like shoes, and I LOVE shoes too! Different uses for different situations. You wouldn't wear sneakers to a formal event, just like you wouldn't wear heels to the beach!
Now, this post is not going to be a font bashing, as I said, I love all fonts, but I am going to suggest some alternatives to some of the most talked about and disliked fonts in the industry. These are common fonts, standard to most computers. I'm sure you have heard about them and probably used them.
Comic Sans
All primary school teachers will be familiar with good old "Comic Sans". It's such a fun and casual font and 100% appropriate if that's the message you want to portray. It's a very popular font for people working with children because it's easy to read. However, The reason it's so un-liked in the design community is because of it's passive aggressive nature and Its overuse in getting a serious message across is quite comical. For example using it for a WARNING sign!
Before you select comic sans for your next project, try one of these alternatives first.
Action Man is a great alternitive to comic sans. Use it for main heading only - not body text. Remember it is a fun font so use it in a fun way! If you have a serious message to get across dont use this font!
Gosmick sans is also a great alternative to comic sans. Its still fun and you could get awsay with using this for larger text areas.
Curls Mt
Hmmmmm...what can I say? Look let's be honest here...we are amongst friends. And friend don't let friends use Curls MT...there is NEVER a reason! Its been overused so much, don't worry I've used too (but I was in Collage and it was the 90's...that's my excuse!), if you feel you HAVE to use this font...like its the only font you have...FOR THE LOVE OF GOD don't use it in all caps!
My mum always taught me, if I don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything...
So here are some alternatives to try before you are tempted to select Curls MT!
You want something curly...you can still have curly! This is a much better alterntive to "you know who"!
This is a lovely script font and a great alternative to Curls MT. Like I've said 1000s of times, don't ever use it in all caps. and body copy, but headings and logos are fine.
Papyrus
Wow, ok...Papyrus! I always crying when I see this font and even more so when I see it used in inoproprate ways! I actully saw this font in a logo for a womens fashion boutiqe in a VERY expensive area!
You may think this is an innocent "earthy" font with its rough edges its a popular font for creating an healthy image. But seriously its been done to death! There is soooooo many other fonts you can use top get the same message accross!
Consider these for your next healthy project!
This is a great alternative it you want an earthy hand drawn font feel, there is so many better fonts out there than Papyrus.
Papyrus was actually created to mimic the letter forms of ancient parcment paper, so if thats the look you are going for, try this font for your next project.
There you go guys, some alternatives to some much despised fonts! Now there is no excuse and you can delete them from your system so you don't accidentally use them.
All of these font alternatives I have sourced form one of 3 websites. You can read more about where to get free fonts here: 3 BEST FREE FONT SITES
*Disclaimer: I'm a great graphic designer, not a copywriter - spelling and grammar is not my thing. See this post for what it is...An extremely passionate graphic designer, that wants to share her knowledge with you (possibly with a couple of spelling mistakes)!