Comments on: With beautiful type comes great responsibility

By: Ryan

Ryan — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 18:38:12 +0000

Whoops there — I meant that I agreed with Brian.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 18:36:24 +0000

I totally agree with Tim.

The problem with free fonts is that everyone would look for something with a cliché. I have seen so much ugly free fonts that are not carefully well thought out.

Massimo’s quote explains it all:

“I don’t think that type should be expressive at all. I can write the word ‘dog’ with any typeface and it doesn’t have to look like a dog. But there are people that [think that] when they write ‘dog’ it should bark.”
— Massimo Vignelli

By: web design in Maidstone

web design in Maidstone — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:56:27 +0000

hmmm… I have never experienced any problems with free fonts :?

anyway, thank You for sharing.. have to be more careful

By: Brian

Brian — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:00:54 +0000

Tim, I'd have to disagree on both accounts. While selecting fonts based on look or style that is appropriate for the message, function should also be highly considered and many of the technical factors of a quality-crafted typeface often will not be present with a "similar enough" free font. As the visual learner that I am, I would recommend, if you have the chance, to print two "similar" fonts that were intended for long periods are reading, for example. Often the inconsistencies of the lower quality font will shine through. As for the web fonts, services such as Typekit, Fontdeck, WebType, FontFont's Web Fonts, FontSpring, Typotheque, Kernest, in addition to replacement methods such as sIFR and Cufón, open possibilities beyond standard web safe fonts.

By: Tim

Tim — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 05:20:32 +0000

I recognise the importance of being original with your fonts, but sometimes it is also about having the ability to identify a free font or a standard font that is similar enough to what you intended or to the printed font chosen. This is because for web pages, we are still pretty much limited by standard fonts.

By: Xaby Web Design

Xaby Web Design — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 05:07:24 +0000

Thanks for the insight :) i’ve learned quite a number of things from your post. Thanks for sharing !

By: GFXBD

GFXBD — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 22:00:51 +0000

Nice article. The suggestion you have posted in your article are worth considering. Besides your article gave me new knowledge. Thanks for this great article.

By: David

David — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 08:36:27 +0000

I agree with the comment regarding training and education on when to use a particular font.

By: Matt Hunsberger

Matt Hunsberger — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 20:17:08 +0000

So i know this isn’t completely on topic, but I read your article (or maybe it was a link you put up) on typekit, I was wondering if you have heard of or used sifr? Apparently it’s all flash and it will re-write the type for you. Atleast that’s how my boss described it. What are you’re thoughts on it. (http://www.mikeindustries.com/blog/sifr) link related. Oh and its all free.

By: Jan

Jan — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 07:06:55 +0000

Thanks for adding this article to the afore mentioned one coming along a little short to my feeling as well. The responsibility of chosing the right or suitable typeface cannot be stressed enough. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and links.