Apr 13 2010
Okay, so I have ranted about fonts before. Specifically, about which fonts should die a slow death and be considered extinct just like those silly dinosaurs. Is it a "thing" we designers tend to do? Sure. Just like good chefs will go off about spices and where you get your meats. Will the general public care? Meh, maybe, maybe not. After all, a rant is a rant and it boils down to opinion. But when someone claims that fonts don't matter as long as they're readable, well, they're missing the point.
Here's where I'd normally try my best to explain why fonts (typefaces) do matter. But instead, how about some examples? Images are more fun anyway.
Example 1
Murder. There's a strong word that is pretty serious. If you're writing a headline which version would you choose?
Example 2
Let's say you're at a spa. Would the top version of the word "relax" feel, um, relaxing?
Example 3
Here's one that honestly, could go either way. But really, which "business" would you take more seriously?
Real world examples
Okay, so those are three examples with little to no context. That was the point. But just in case you're still not convinced, let's use some real world examples.
Example 1
Does my version on the bottom work? Sure. It's readable. Different feeling though. Trust me, the designer(s) at nike chose their font for a reason.
Example 2
I don't think the Marines would be proud of the altered version.
Example 3
Beyond taglines and logos
So the above examples are short and deal with identities and branding. What about actual text/copy? Well, here's one example (click to view a larger version).
The text comes from 37signals' new book, REWORK. You can see this text in their excerpts. Hey, that typeface is still legible right?
(Yeah, I wouldn't want to read that either.)