5 Overused Fonts in Design

Oct162009

These fonts are so over used that i feel it is my duty to point one out everytime i see one used. Sometimes they go perfect with design (in that case i also add: "at least it goes with their design" but in most cases it's used simply because it looks cool.

1) Papyrus

I mean common, this speaks for itself, this font just screams crappy designer at me
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2) Bankgothic

Ok i actually loved this font until i started to see it everywhere. This font comes with Microsoft Office so it's really easy to pick up and use. Almost every Hollywood technological movie uses this font ex: Transformers. And then places that shouldn't like Chipotle.

3) Helvetica

I don't think this font needs an introduction since it's used so heavily everywhere. There is even a movie about this font. I do have to say in it's defense that it's a font that doesn't jump out and scream at you with fanciness like Papyrus.

4) Times New Roman

No font bashing article would be complete without Times New Roman. I am pretty sure no one likes this font it just happens to be the default font for most operating systems and office programs (Although it seems everyone is tired fo it so new versions come with different font as the default). This font just screams lazy at me. We don't even bother reading resumes in our office that are done in Times New Roman

5) Trajan

Another great font that is overused to a point where it's not cool anymore. We even used it when we designed an identity for Emerge Marketing group. It works really well with large Law firms or religious organizations that want to look big. It basically became a movie font since it makes anything look big and corporate.

Honoroble Mention: Comic Sans

i consider this the ugliest font of all time. It used to be super over used about a year or two ago, however i think society finally started to realize the ugliness so i haven't seen it in a while. And here is a website dedicated to hating comic sans