Let’s be real, fonts are everything. They set the vibe, tell your story and can make or break your graphic design faster than you can say “Comic Sans.” So, we’re spilling the tea on the fonts that are killing it right now and the ones that need to pack up and leave, like, yesterday.
Fonts That Need To Retire Yesterday
Trajan: The Movie Star Who’s Seen Too Much Action
Sure, Trajan looks fancy but it’s been battered to death on every blockbuster poster since forever. If your brand’s not about Titanic levels of drama, it’s time to let this font rest in peace (and yes, it comes preloaded in Adobe Creative Suite, so we get why).
Copperplate Gothic: The Corporate Copycat
We see you, law firms and accounting agencies, still clinging to Copperplate Gothic like it’s your security blanket. Newsflash: it’s boring AF and makes you look like everyone else. Time to quit blending in.
Scriptina: The Party That’s Over
Back in 2004, Scriptina was fresh and fun. Now? It’s played out worse than your favourite boy band’s comeback tour. Using it today screams outdated and “I didn’t really think this through.”
Bleeding Cowboys: The Tattoo Shop Reject
Once edgy, now just messy. Bleeding Cowboys is the font you use if you want your design to make people uncomfortable. Random fading? Check. Letters shaped like daggers? Check. We’re checking out.
Fonts We’re Totally Crushing On
NaN Tragedy: The Rebel with a Cause
NaN Tragedy is a fascinating mash-up of eras and styles: think old-school scribe meets high-tech CERN lab. It’s classical but contemporary, extravagant but simple. Designed by NaN, a graphic and typeface design studio based in Berlin and Sydney, it’s a fresh breath of creative air for headlines that need serious character.
Humane: The Friendly Neighbourhood Sans
This free font by Rajesh Rajput is a warm hug in typeface form. Super-condensed, multi-language and friendly as heck, Humane packs personality without shouting. Perfect for bold headlines and logos that want to say, “Hey, we’re approachable, yet serious.”
Frame: The Sharp Minimalist
Originally created for cycling brand Rapha, Frame draws inspiration from 17th-century Dutch masters but with a modern twist. It’s clean, sharp and has enough character to stand out without stealing the show. Perfect for text and headlines alike. Designed by Paul Barnes and Christian Schwartz of Commercial, a studio that’s all about quality and creativity.
Pastiche Grotesque: The Quirky Cool Kid
If fonts had personalities, Pastiche Grotesque would be the artsy friend who always shows up in a statement jacket and somehow pulls it off. Designed by the legends at Order, this sans-serif doesn’t just play by the rules, it rewrites them. It’s got history, but it’s not stuck in the past. It’s sharp, witty and totally ready for centre stage.
Why Your Font Choice Matters
Fonts aren’t just letters. They’re your brand’s tone of voice before you say a word. Pick the right one and you’re in business. Choose poorly and your design might as well be whispering “meh.”
Ready To Give Your Fonts A Glow Up?
If you’re stuck with tired fonts or just want to shake things up, we’re here to help you find the typeface that makes your brand sing… no cringe, no clichés, just pure personality.
👉 Get in touch and let’s talk fonts and fearless design.
