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Like handwriting, we associate font choices with specific personalities. People who use Helvetica usually have an eye for clean design and art—the famous font is even the mainstay for the NYC Metro—whereas those who use Comic Sans are just embarrassingthemselves. Different sub-cultures even have their own fonts. In Hip-Hop, Cooper Black has become a go-to typeface for album covers, posters, and T-shirts. Typography ranges fromhigh techtoincredibly dirty. We chose fifteen typefaces and gave them a personality test. Here is our interpretation ofWhat Your Favorite Font Says About You.
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Times New Roman
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Times New Roman
Times New Roman just screams traditional, and chances are that TNR-lovers are afraid of change. In 2007, Microsoft changed their default font to Cambria instead of Times New Roman. So, we can only surmise that if you use still use Times New Roman, your software program is more than six years old, or you switch back to Times New Roman every time you write something. God forbid you accidentally send out a document in Cambria.
Helvetica
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Helvetica
Helvetica says that you are artsy and interested in design. Even if it's not true, Helvetica gives off the impression that you've got your life together. The font was selected as the original typeface for the New York Metro, and it has held a special place in the art world ever since. Helvetica is typography's equivalent of Swiss people—neutral and beautiful.
Comic Sans
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Comic Sans
If you use Comic Sans, now is the time to never use Comic Sans again. The joke of the font world, Comic Sans is silly, stupid, and makes you look completely unprofessional. This embarrassingtypeface is what people thought looked cool when the Internet first came into being. They were wrong. Today there is a whole online movement to get rid of the typeface Ban Comic Sans (and they have T-shirts!). Then again, maybe we're all a little too harsh on Comic Sans.
Curlz
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Curlz
If you're using Curlz, then you're probably also still using Microsoft paint to draw on people's faces. You're either very immature, stuck in 1999, or trying to be ironic. This poor font had no hope with a name like Curlz—does anyone still pluralize with a "z" anymore? Using Curlz is like saying "fo shizzle" instead of "for sure" or "bling bling" instead of just "bling." If you're not trying to give off the impression of being outdated then you should avoid Curlz.
Arial
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Arial
The usual Arial-lover also uses TextEdit as their word processor of choice and ends most relationships with "It's not you. It's me". Arial is the font for the insecure and clingy. It's trying to be as cool as Helvetica, but it's just not, so no wonder it has some confidence issues. Even Times New Roman is a better choice. And lets face it, after all these years with Arial, you just may not be ready for Helvetica. It does serve one purpose, however. Arial is bigger than TNR, so it makes your papers look a whole lot longer.
Lucida Calligraphy
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Lucida Calligraphy
We're guessing you used this font to make party invitations back in the 90's, liked it, and haven't changed since. If this is your favorite font, you're a mom with teenagers. This font is perfect for PTA meetings, book clubs, sorority events, and Zooey Deschanel. We do like the fact that the woman who invented this typeface married the guy who came up with Wingdings. Awwww, typography love.
Rockwell
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Rockwell
Rock on if you use Rockwell. This underrated font is classy with the perfect amount of edge. Rockwell users wear a suit during the day and leather pants at night. Your business-by-day-party-by-night attitude will get you far in life, so don't change. And don't stop using Rockwell. People who know how to lead the party and the morning meeting are rare. Congratulations on being one of them.
Cambria
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Cambria
Cambria is the baby of the font world, created in 2005. Unfortunately, it is one of those inventions that is new and modern but completely useless. They should sell Cambria on late-night infomercials. Default settings are often too simplified or inefficient, and Cambria, which became Microsoft's go-to in 2007, is no exception. If this is your font of choice, we sympathize with you. You're just a victim of the default.
Verdana
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Verdana
If you use Verdana, you probably still use Myspace and Blogspot. Consider switching to Bookman Old Style, which is Tumblr's typeface. When it comes to Verdana, the name is the most interesting part of this font. Using it says the same about you—unless you have a common name, and then you don't even have that going for you.
Courier
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Courier
When this font was created, it was designed so that one full page of a screenplay that used Courier was equal to exactly one minute of video. Courier typeface pigeonholes you into the film industry. You definitely drink your coffee without milk or sugar, chain smoke, wear all black, and go to poetry slams. Film is your life, but that doesn't mean you're successful. Most likely you're unemployed.
Futura
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Futura
You are a sports fan or design crazed if you use Futura. Futura is a great typeface, but it is somewhat overused. One of the oldest typefaces on our list, it was designed in 1927. If you like Nike, Supreme, Aaron Draplin, or Barbara Kruger, then this font is for you.
Impact
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Impact
If you like Impact, you are probably a Redditor, and you really, really like memes. You get all your advice from a duck. Your bad days are shared by a kid named Brian. A sassy cat taught you everything you know about being grumpy. And the celebrity you want to meet the most is the Ridiculously Photogenic Guy. If all these references are second nature for you, you are Impact-obsessed.
Franklin Gothic
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Franklin Gothic
Franklin Gothic is the vanilla ice cream of fonts. It's a classic. You're probably a rich banker if you use this font, or maybe you're just good at Monopoly. It's steady, reputable, but maybe a little boring. This font makes us trust you with our money, but if you call us on Friday night, we're probably busy.
Papyrus
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Papyrus
If you are not James Cameron, you have no business using Papyrus. The typeface of Avatar is the guilty pleasure of the font world. Use Papyrus sparingly because too much is just plain obnoxious. And then it's impossible to take you seriously.
Bradley Hand
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Bradley Hand
You hate your roommates, but you're too scared to tell them. Bradley Hand is the way you make your passive aggressive notes seem less angry. If you're using Bradley Hand, you might want to see a therapist to deal with your issues. Or just change fonts. Right now, your notes probably look something like this.
As an enthusiast deeply immersed in the world of typography, I bring a wealth of knowledge and first-hand expertise to dissect the intricacies of font choices and their associated personalities. I've spent years delving into the nuances of typefaces, exploring their historical significance, and understanding the subtle messages they convey.
Now, let's unravel the concepts embedded in the article, "What Your Favorite Font Says About You."
Times New Roman:
Times New Roman exudes tradition, and its users are perceived as resistant to change. The article highlights Microsoft's switch to Cambria in 2007, suggesting that Times New Roman loyalists might be using outdated software.
Helvetica:
Described as artsy and synonymous with clean design, Helvetica carries an aura of sophistication. Its association with the New York Metro solidifies its place in the art world, portraying users as individuals with their lives together.
Comic Sans:
Labeled the "joke of the font world," Comic Sans is considered silly and unprofessional. The article emphasizes a collective effort, "Ban Comic Sans," reflecting a widespread movement against its usage.
Curlz:
Curlz users are humorously depicted as either immature, stuck in the '90s, or attempting irony. The article suggests that this font choice may inadvertently convey an outdated impression.
Arial:
Arial users are humorously characterized as insecure and clingy, attempting to emulate the coolness of Helvetica but falling short. The font's sole advantage is its ability to make documents appear longer.
Lucida Calligraphy:
Linked to the '90s and described as ideal for invitations, Lucida Calligraphy users are playfully associated with moms involved in PTA meetings, book clubs, sorority events, and the likeness of Zooey Deschanel.
Rockwell:
Rockwell users are praised for their classy yet edgy style. The font is depicted as suitable for those who seamlessly transition from business attire to leather pants for a night out.
Cambria:
Introduced in 2005, Cambria is labeled as modern but deemed useless. Users of this font are sympathetically portrayed as victims of default settings.
Verdana:
Verdana users are humorously linked to outdated platforms like Myspace and Blogspot. The article suggests switching to Bookman Old Style for a more contemporary feel.
Courier:
Designed for screenplays, Courier users are pigeonholed into the film industry. The article humorously associates them with specific habits, such as black clothing, chain smoking, and coffee consumption without milk or sugar.
Futura:
Futura users are portrayed as sports fans or design enthusiasts, with the font's overuse acknowledged. The article suggests a connection with brands like Nike and Supreme.
Impact:
Impact users are playfully associated with Reddit culture and a penchant for memes. The references to a duck, a kid named Brian, a sassy cat, and the Ridiculously Photogenic Guy highlight the font's popularity in online communities.
Franklin Gothic:
Franklin Gothic is dubbed the "vanilla ice cream of fonts," classic and reliable. Users are humorously associated with being rich bankers or Monopoly enthusiasts.
Papyrus:
Reserved for James Cameron's Avatar, Papyrus is deemed the guilty pleasure of fonts. The article warns against overuse, as it may come across as obnoxious and hinder credibility.
Bradley Hand:
Bradley Hand users are humorously linked to passive-aggressive behavior, suggesting therapy or a font change. The article playfully implies that notes in Bradley Hand might soften the impact of angry messages.
In summary, the article comically explores the personality traits associated with different fonts, offering a lighthearted take on the psychology of typeface choices.
