Today I am just going to explore a couple of issues, ones that I inevitably tend to see at every craft show.
What not to use:
Fonts like: Times New Roman, Comic Sans/Chalkboard, Courier, Brush Script, Mistral, Copperplate, Herculanum, Zapfino, Apple Chancery, Papyrus, Peignot...anything resembling those fonts... ok so the list can go on and on. Some of these fonts have spawned online hate groups among designers, are the topics of whiney and self-righteous postings by the design community at large. We don't mean to cringe, but we can't help it.
There are literally hundreds of thousands of fonts out there. Yes, there will be a situation that's appropriate for (almost) any font. How can you make a good decision on which to use? If you're reading this post you are probably a crafter, an artisan, an artist. We have to start by looking at the font as media in the art you are creating. Is this font current and modern looking? Is this something overused, old, and stale? Does the styling of the font help accentuate and convey the look and feel of your product? What types of fonts do your competitors using, and is what you are creating up to par for the market?
Sometimes when I have a brand new client, I have them find me something they like. Ads, websites, product packaging, whatever. They are tasked with bringing me designs that they find to be appealing. From those items, a lot can be learned about style, color, etc. that the client is looking for. They almost always pick out high-end, top notch design, and say "This is what I want".
So this is what you must do. Find things that you like, then mimic the style by choosing similar types of fonts, etc. Inevitably, the end product looks nothing like the samples that were given. Putting something together using your own style and skills, your products, your message, brings something completely different to the table. Always remember, never copy, just be inspired and take your ideas to the next level.
What to Use - The Good Stuff:
Stick with classic lines, timeless styles. Some of these fonts have been around for decades, but have stood the test of time and use.
Fonts like Baskerville and other "Serif" fonts (use instead of Times): Why use something so similar? The essence of the font is similar to most people viewing it, but the nuances of the letters themselves can lend a classier and less dated look. Use for both text and headlines.
Fonts such as Helvetica, News Gothic, and other "Sans-Serif" fonts (use instead of Arial, Veranda, etc.) Use for both text and headlines.
Display-type fonts such as HobbyHorse and Rosewood/Script Fonts such as Avalon: Almost exclusively used for titles and headlines, the complexities of these fonts are best utilized at a large size and would make a block of text mostly unreadable.
Next post: coming up a little bit later, a practical application and real-life makeover of a product package, including more tips and instruction.
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