Typography is a powerful skill in the designer’s arsenal. But as they say, with great power comes great responsibility. We’ve all seen examples of type that’s gone awry or that’s not so easy on the eye. In this article, we take a look at 7 type trends out there that we’d all like to forget. Designers, take caution! Make sure you’re not guilty of these. And let us know in the comments about any other type trends you’d like to see the end of. Enjoy!
1. Blinking Text.
Remember the HTML tag? If you don’t you’re lucky. Anyone who was around on the web back in the 90’s will remember seeing webpages with distractingly flickering text. It was almost enough to give someone a seizure. Was there ever an occasion where blinking text was appropriate? Probably not. But that didn’t stop designers using it on everything from coffee shop websites to those infamous ´Under Construction’ signs. Thankfully, it’s been a long time since we’ve seen text on a webpage blink.
2. Stretched Type.
Designers at font foundries put a lot of painstaking care and effort into crafting the fonts we use. So when someone skews or stretches a typeface in Photoshop or using CSS, it’s almost criminal. If you want to give an element emphasis, a much better option is to use kerning or oblique versions of typefaces.
3. Dodgy Drop Shadows.
Like most design elements, drop shadows have their place, but only in moderation. A drop shadow works best when used sparingly and with subtlety. Overly thick, dark edges around text will only serve to distract readers from your message, not highlight it.
4. Rainbows, rainbows, rainbows.
The Photoshop Filter tool has a lot to answer for. It’s certainly been responsible for some beautiful masterpieces, but it’s also been responsible for glaringly bad design work. High on the list of which is anything filled with rainbows. Once again, there’s a time and a place for the multi-colored look, but please, use it responsibly.
5. Tiny Type.
This was another common type trend way back in the 90’s. For a while there, it was tough to visit a designer website that didn’t have type that required a magnifying glass to interpret. It goes without saying that if your audience can’t read your type, it doesn’t matter how awesome it looks. Thankfully, we’re seeing a resurgence of big, bold typography on the web of late.
6. Papyrus.
Microsoft’s Papyrus might be a well-crafted typeface, but it’s woefully overused. It’s visible on everything from your local Chinese takeaway menu to the logotypes of every second yoga studio. If you’re a designer, it’s wise to step outside the box and find a typeface that’s more unique.
7. Anything With Comic Sans.
You’d think people would’ve learned by now, wouldn’t you? There’s only one instance where Comic Sans is the BEST typeface to use. And that’s if you’re designing a notice to sit on the bulletin board of your kid’s playgroup. And even then we’re fairly certain you could find something nicer.
So there you have it, 7 type trends we’d like to see the end of. What about you? What type trends would you wish were less common? On the web, or in print. Let us know in the comments below.
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