Comments on: Don’t blame the fonts, blame the designers

By: The Kay

The Kay — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 10:03:38 +0000

I think it was a good and funny post.
I would rather puke in my own mouth than use some of those fonts.
Well, no not really.

By: Jason Beaird

Jason Beaird — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 20:38:20 +0000

Being a sarcastic guy with an odd sense of humor, I often put myself in Ross’ position. In fact, I almost wrote a post recently about how “Papyrus is the new Comic Sans”. In one day I saw a billboard, a flyer for a local Edible Arrangements franchise, and an apartment complex entrance that all used Papyrus.

Yes, there are times when every font is called for. I’ve used Comic Sans in a corporate children’s site, and Times New Roman… well, it’s the second-best websafe pc serif face for pre-vista computers. :) However, there is a reason some fonts have a bad rap with designers, and these fonts should be used with caution.

By: marko

marko — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 07:36:14 +0000

“Sorry you didn’t enjoy it, as I enjoyed writing it =)”

And I believe you.

By making such twisted jokes, you automatically choose the controversial route. Now enjoy that route! :D

By: Ross Johnson

Ross Johnson — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 02:36:48 +0000

Its a twist I decided to put on the post, either it appeals to ones humor or doesn’t. There are thousands of conversations about how to access a design challenge and make typographic choices, I decided to take an entertainment route.

Sorry you didn’t enjoy it, as I enjoyed writing it =)

By: marko

marko — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 02:12:04 +0000

Ross, we are all responsible not to mislead our readers into wrong conclusions, as you pointed that out. Even though I understood you weren’t meant literally, I would really like to see more positivity and less criticism especially with such sensitive topics.

It’s easy to throw the snowball, but let’s not throw it down the hill :)

By: Ross Johnson

Ross Johnson — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 01:37:44 +0000

The post was more tongue and cheek, hence the goofy “font death descriptions.” But just goes to show some people will scan a blog post and draw conclusions with out really taking the time to read and understand it. (This based on a number of reactions, not just your own)

The copy was heavily focused on the situation and misuse, of course suggesting a font should die is humorous exaggeration.

Yes in some situations some of those fonts work, I am reminded of an e-mail blast that saw increase in conversions based on comic sans. However the constant and blatant misuse of the font makes me wish it simple were never invented.

Thanks for the response though and joining in the conversation, your points are good ones even though they don’t really apply to what I was saying. =)