Are you a DIY graphic designer trying to creating that perfect flyer to promote your blood drive or bake sale? If so, here’s a little warning. When you search through your font options for an eye-catching choice, beware. For some, font choice is a very serious matter, a very serious matter indeed. And if you don’t believe me, just ask poor Comic Sans.

Comic sans was not designed to be taken so seriously. Created by Microsoft designer Vincent Connare in the mid-90s, comic sans was designed for use in cartoons after Connare saw a version of Microsoft Bob using the way too serious Times New Roman in its word balloons. But when the font gained in popularity, its use expanded to places some say it never should have ventured, such as traffic signs, restaurant menus, basketball uniforms, medical information, essays on slavery, and even an MIT webpage. As the use (or misuse) of Comic Sans spread, the Ban Comic Sans movement began.

Indianapolis graphic designers Dave and Holly Combs began their campaign to rid the world of the silly little font with Bancomicsans.com. They now produce “Ban Comic Sans” merchandise and have gained a respectable international following. In an interview with the Boston Phoenix, Holly Combs said about the font, “It’s poorly designed. Its strokes are irregular. It’s a really ugly, comical, stupid, ugly font.”

Ms. Combs’ aversion reportedly began when she was forced by a client to a design gallery guide for a Native American museum entirely in the comic book font. Since the campaign began, anti-Comic Sansians have shared their own horror stories. One college professor was appalled to receive a student essay on slavery written entirely in Comic Sans, and another person reportedly found a funeral announcement printed in the goofy-looking type.

Of course, in the serious world of typography, Comic Sans is far from the only font to inspire strong aversion. Inspirationbit.com blogger, Vivian, recently posted a funny yet heartfelt “Plea From 16 Most Overused Fonts.” And though Comic Sans was perched right at the top of her list, others that made the cut were Times New Roman (cursing the day it became default font for Microsoft), Trajan (for being way overused by the movie industry),  Impact ( losing its “impact” through sheer overuse) and Curlz MT (way too cute for its own good).

Vivian writes for these poor bedraggled fonts:

“The biggest fear of every type is to be used in ways that were not intended for or abused to the point of being hated…Sixteen of us finally got together with a plea to give us a break and forget about our existence for the next 25 years or so.”

As you can see, navigating the world of typography can be treacherous for a beginner. To avoid having protest stickers pasted across your sign (which reportedly happened to a Comic Sans “Accepting New Patients” sign at a hospital) taking care to match your font with the message you wish to convey is warranted. So as you create your bake sale advertisement or blood drive flyer, keep this line from the Ban Comic Sans manifesto in your head:

“Type is a voice; its very qualities and characteristics communicate to readers a meaning beyond mere syntax.”

For more information about graphic design, printing or Metairie copies, or to request an estimate on a project, contact H&H printing.

Posted on November 17th, 2008 by mandevilleprinting
Filed under: Printing Service, offset printing, printer