The keri design and print blog has the top 5 Worst Fonts:
There are some fonts that should never be used for anything serious. Actually, there are A LOT of fonts that shouldn't ever be used for anything. Period. But there's a handfull of fonts that are horrible because they're overused, difficult to read if used for more than a headline, are just plain ugly, or a combination of these things. So without further ado, here are the top 5 worst fonts you should never use.
Of course the most hated font in the world tops the list at number 1 and the other most hated font is on the list.
What tops your worst font list? Have you ever had to print job ruined by a customer's bad typography decision?
Discussion
By Cory on Jul 11, 2008
Suprised Hobo didn't make the top 5. Another overused awful font.
By Eddy Hagen on Jul 11, 2008
Worst font? Definitely Courier. Especially when it was not a design choice, but when it appeared in print due to the fact that the designer didn't prepare a proper PDF, that the designer and/or printer didn't care to preflight the PDF...
Eddy Hagen
VIGC
By Donald on Jul 12, 2008
I happen to like courrier. It can be very efficient to have a monospaced font. I ended up on this great blog after reading a funny post all about fonts. http://blog.matthewdelja.com/2008/05/on-typeface.html
By Eddy Hagen on Jul 13, 2008
Donald: I won't argue about Courier when it was a deliberate choice of the designer, you and everybody else have the right to like it.
But too often you see Courier appear somewhere - not very nicely spaced btw - when it was due to an error, because the right font was not embedded. It's that instance of Courier that I don't like. Because it's a very stupid error. One that can be avoided quite easy.
Eddy Hagen
VIGC
By Henk Gianotten on Jul 14, 2008
Eddy is right, Courier is a great face but is used to much. The same applies for the Adobe Sans and the Adobe Serif if it substitutes another (not embedded) typeface. For a printer these substitution fonts can create real problems.
In my opinion a number of fonts are ugly if the wrong currency symbols such as euro are used. The official euro logo is a round capital C with two horizontal short lines. Often that symbol is used as the currency sign. That's wrong. The eurosign needs to have a shape and width identical to the figures and the other currency symbols such as pound, dollar and yen.
Most font producers created the proper euro sign in their OpenType fonts. However lots of designers still don't use these fonts and stick to PS 1 fonts. Euro signs in additional symbol fonts are made with symbols that don't have the proper encoding. This is not bad for print and PDF. You can see the (wrong) symbol anyway. But the searching techniques such as Google cannot find those euro symbols. That's bad, I think.
By Karl Evans on Jul 14, 2008
Comic sans is one of a few fonts I am willing to use regularly. It is easy to read and looks pleasant on paper. Your calling it the worst font only reveals how out of touch with reality the printing world is.
The worst font is courier, followed closely by Times New Roman. They are difficult to read and look like wet sheep in a rainstorm.
My favorites are Sylfaen and Ariel for general purposes.
By Warren B. Funnell on Jul 14, 2008
Old Dreadful is the worst example of a typeface I have ever seen. Then next in line are the fractured fonts, looking as though they were bashed around and misused, until they were barely recognizable as letters that should be making a satement, just becasue they are a font of type.
By Darleen on Jul 15, 2008
The absolute worse is Papyrus, Pristine, and Rage Italic, we have all kinds of versions for each output device, and have to write special postscript for it to work.
By Stephen Graff on Jul 15, 2008
Back in the "old" days, in design and typography classes,high school thru college, the opinion of the instructors, classmates and ALL others was that any use of all caps in what was called "Old English or "Old Text" was blasphemous. Worthy of punishment by sorting out the "pie-box" (look it up if you dont know what that is it) or cleaning the rubber cement cans depending on the era you were schooled. The nonsense about Courier and embedded this abd PDF that has more to do with that it looked a a type-writer font that was on the IBM Selectrics when Selectrics were souped up to do auto spacing, justifications, etc. They just left a bad taste in a true compositors/typrgraphers mouth. You people (younger than 35) have no clue how easy you have it today. LOL
By Jim Dittmer on Jul 15, 2008
I would posit that all the mentioned fonts are terrific when used appropriately and creatively. Isn't that the whole point of typography- to know when to use which font? Courier is very good when trying to mimic an old typewriter. Papyrus creates a graphic effect that is very appropriate when trying to suggest Middle Eastern antiquity. What we really seem to be discussing is the lack of propriety, creativity, and technical training that our clients sometimes exhibit. With apologies to Father Flanagan, there are no bad fonts, there is only inappropriate use and lack of creativity. (not strictly true, but what the heck…)
By reid anderson on Jul 15, 2008
I think Apple Chancery is the one of the worst script fonts there is. The exception is Brush script, which when used is a sure fire sign that the designer has limited understanding of typography.
By Allan Larson on Jul 15, 2008
If I see another menu/wedding invite/Hole in One sign with Zaph Chancery All caps Italic I am going to poke my eye out with my thumb.
By Andy McCourt on Jul 15, 2008
Friends, the whole typography thing can be beautifully understood by reading Beatrice Warde's 'The Crystal Goblet' (Published 1955 by Sylvan Press UK.) She compares typography with a fine wine glass which should allow the colour and structure of a wine to be appreciated. Printing, she asserts, should be 'invisible.' Like the glass. Crystal is best because everything about it is designed to REVEAL rather than hide the beautiful substance inside. It's a delicious read if you can get hold of it. Warde would be horrified at some of the 'fonts' and misuse of type for clear communication today. She was one time editor of the Monotype Recorder and a regular in the classic 'Penrose Annual of the Graphic Arts.' Type is more important than many of the post - DTP revolution realise. It lies at the very heart of the culture of what Marshall McCluhan called 'Typographic Man' in another great book - The Gutenberg Galaxy.
Anyone can sing 'My Way' but only Frankie could render the true feel, meaning and emotion. That's type.
Good to see there are so many that still care.
By Michael Jahn on Jul 16, 2008
Wow - Adam - where did you even come across this blog ?
They are a small service bureau in New Zealand, and have like, what - two months worth of posts ?
Why this here ?
- are you doing a comparator between boring blog posts and boring typefaces ?
Okay, so, gloves off, this was Adam, he must have saw something worth irking my ire...
-- so I will take it seriously - I posted the below to the Keri Design Blog...
---------------------------------
To me - this is as silly as asking ;
"what is the top Worst COLORS"...
Let me start by sharing information something that might be helpful.
- the whole idea that you would be critical of "fonts" is - well - ill conceived.
A font is traditionally defined as a complete character set of a single size of a particular typeface.
So, from my perspective, the WORST FOUNT (as it should be spelled) is one that has missing characters - or poorly formed glyphs at that particular "point size".
This is important - as the set of all characters for 9 point Trebuchet is a font, and the 10 point size would be another font.
I mention this particular "typeface" as you happen to use in your blogs CSS.
So, shall we now evaluate what is "worst" based on this new information ?
No, I think not - as what you MEANT to write was - what is the worst TYPEFACE...
- otherwise, I have no idea as to what your criteria is...)
Since the introduction of personal computers, (actually, we had it correctly BEFORE the Apple Macintosh and they called that menu item FONT in Finder version 4.2 of the Mac OS) -- anyway - "a much a broader definition has evolved."
or de-volved...
The term font is now often used as a metonym for typeface.
The term font is derives from Middle French fonte, which means "something that has been melted", a hold over to the molten metal at a type foundry.
We used the term "fount" for centuries (here in the US anyway) to refer to the "collection" (if you will) of metal type (stored in a box) used to assemble and then printed in a particular size and typeface.
All the "fonts" you list are technically fine, and have all the assets of fine typography design. There could be really no "worst" font unless you were referring to a particular point size in a typeface.
It saddens me to see any and all of these character shapes (or typefaces) mangled sans H&J (yes, pun intended, for the few that get that joke) in Microsoft Word.
Penta, Atex, they did a great job - but were crushed by cheaper Quark and a PC & Mac - and while Quarks H&J was better than PageMaker, well, Adobe InDesign trumps that, not that many notice.
To me, a person who worked for John Harrison, who named his children Caslon and Cooper, I was horrified to read that this blog was mentioned in "what they think" July 10th post -
http://printceoblog.com/200...
Perhaps Stanley Morison and Victor Larden (they designed Time New Roman, a FINE typeface, at ALL the font sizes BTW ) - hey, they would vote this Keri Design blog as the "Worst Typeface Critic", only to discover that you called a typeface a font and walk away wondering "what in world is this person on about ?"
Is it that you are tired of the jobs that are being submitted to you - using there very popular "typefaces" - and you are simply tired of looking at them (that what is seems to be...)
-- then PLEASE, whine to THEM about being creative and innovative, and don't blame a "font" or a typestyle !
Okay, I think I have vented enough.
By Patrick Henry on Jul 16, 2008
This is somewhat off topic, but for a reminder of how visually delightful letterforms can be despite our worst efforts to abuse them, visit Bembo's Zoo (http://www.bemboszoo.com).
By Auski on Jul 16, 2008
I agree that there are no bad fonts or typefaces. In any creative use a font can be in its “right place” and suitable for the wanted effect. However, I’m missing the times almost 40 years ago, when the font was still a form of Art. That time the font was moving from the “Linotype” metal font to the “Optomechanical” font. I was working with the German photo-type-setting machines, manufactured in Berlin by the company Berthold AG. These times we remembered the type designers by their complete names and I even met some of them personally in Berlin!
Berthold used one small glass font for each type of text, eight fonts as maximum per of their Diatronic machine with their own separate “width box” or diode box. The text was optically sized, from the still standing font carrier, to reach a maximum of 36 points, and the result was so good that the most checks and banknotes, in the countries I was working, were also printed using the films from these machines. The film was used in A4 or letter size format, standing still meanwhile the xenon lamp shot the characters to the film, paper or to a special stripping film. I remember how important it was to adjust even the smallest details like the ink trap in capital M’s armpits, so that the printing ink wouldn’t deform the design.
I must admit, that I was very proud of the quality of these machines in comparing of our competitors, like Compugraphic, Monotype etc., which were more for the newspaper and book printing businesses. They used as font carriers round glass discs or film bands, which were constantly moving and which, with that time’s film exposure times, couldn’t give the best quality in photographic paper or film. Instead of that, they were much faster. Only much later the winners, quality laser film and CTP output units, have reached the mentioned top quality.
We all win and lose something with the progress: Excellent and very expensive fonts changed to be today’s good, cheap typefaces.
By Andy McCourt on Jul 16, 2008
Hey Michael Jahn - this type blog can't be that boring with so many posts, including your eloquent and hilarious one eh? Mate, what's wrong with being a small design studio in New Zealand that cares so much about its work that it engages both its clients and the world in a worthwhile debate about the appropriate use of type? New Zealand has a vibrant and successful printing industry that punches well above its weight because it has terrific creative and technical talent (and that's coming from an Australian!- traditional rugby war enemy of NZ) I don't think the put-down is warranted and I'd put money of a 'Face-off' between a good Kiwi graphic designer and the NYTDC's best anyday. Font, fount, fondue - who cares so long as it's understood? I just removed the last working Ludlow in Australia, along with 2 FOUNT cases, and the TYPE was all in there. I agree that this debate is more about the application of particular type designs. Comic Sans on a business card can work - for a clown.
Is that what you use on yours Michael ;-)
By Andrew on Jul 16, 2008
Mwaah !
Never expected such interest from what was a light hearted debate over Friday drinks. We had recently received the artwork for a local brochure created in Excel (yes, that's right ... Excel - If you ask nicely, I'll tell you how we managed extract a useable four colour separation ... except of course we're stupid) and featuring Comic Sans throughout. Someone had seen a similar blog so we came up with some of our own.
I apologise for my incorrect usage of the term "font". I am fully aware of the difference - I obviously need to be more careful with such a critical audience.
Judging a typeface is completely subjective and mostly irrelevant. It was just supposed to be fun.
And thanks for the Australian support ... but gloves off for the tri-nations !
By Michael Jahn on Jul 16, 2008
@ Dr. McCourt
ahh - caught red handed I am afraid!
I am an abuser of Hobo Extended Wild, and other horrid typefaces for my business cards.
One of my clients (that i dabble designing for) is Java Juice Extract (please do give it a go!) and yes, indeed, we use TIMES.
http://picasaweb.google.ca/michaelejahn/JavaJuice/photo#5223306701650556786
By Michael Jahn on Jul 16, 2008
@ Andrew...
Kudos for taking that sows ear of a file into the land of silken purses - well done, and please, i do recognize a rant when i see one, and always love to turn that into an educational and historical moment, so thanks for that.
I LOVE that it was in the end - Comic Sans !
Vincent Connare - then a font designer for Microsoft is the father of Comic Sans. Vince created this typestyle based lettering in comic books he liked. He had already created many kids friendly typestyles for other applications - when he saw a beta version of Microsoft Bob using "Times New Roman" in the word balloons above cartoon characters, he broke out and done did it.
The typeface later shipped with Windows 95 Plus! Pack, becames a standard font for the OEM version of Windows 95, then became one of the default fonts for Microsoft Publisher and IE.
Yet again - successful font? Popular typeface ?
Besmudged as "the worst" ?
"I tellz ya, i gets no respectz"
Popeye, the san serif Fount
By Andy McCourt on Jul 17, 2008
Andrew
Omigawd! That's the first and last time I get kissed by a Kiwi. I was 'kissed' by a Maori front-rower once and needed 7 stitches.
Michael,
Nice work mate, really (Java Juice). And thanks for the honorary doctorate. I'll have it set on my biz cards henceforth, in 'Acid Bath Bold' www.wackyfonts.com (not wackyfounts.com!)
Pat,
bemboszoo.com is brilliant, a work of true imagination, except the Koala has a long tail and looks like a bear. No tail, hugs branches and sleeps all day. Boring little tykes they are, but everybody loves them.
No one here has mentioned that great London typophile Neville Brody (The Face Magazine; FontWorks). Someone at LCC I think, set out to design the worst typeface ever and called it 'Neville Brody Ate my Hamster' I can't find a copy of it but it featured in the now defunct 'XYZ' magazine in the 90s.
Good type is alive and well - in the right places.
By Andy McCourt on Jul 17, 2008
Hey Michael,
Look what I found on www.cafepress.com
"Hobo Font Mousepad
The World's worst typeface now printed on a funny font specimen mousepad."
Please explain?