The Problem With Papyrus. Rant.
Warning: This is a Rant.
This has really been getting on my nerves for the last few weeks. It started probably three weeks ago, when I was in the local theater waiting for Shrek 2 to start. Sitting there with my two younger siblings, I noticed that the ad that was being displayed used the vanilla Papyrus font that comes with Windows. Deciding to flex my geekery a bit, I asked my brothers, "Can you name that font?"
One says, "What's a font?"
The other says, "Uh... .... ... ragged?"
"No, it's called Papyrus," I said. Another victory for someone with way too many fonts installed on their computer.
When I got home that night, I was paging through the mail for the day. Lo and behold, a magazine I get had a spot for a book on the back. The book cover was using the same Papyrus font for its title text. I was like, woah, that's weird. I also thought it was odd that someone would use such a common font for the cover of their book. A few days later I was driving into town, and I saw ... Papyrus on a billboard! The next friggen day I'm in Church, and the Pastor is displaying a little video. Volia! Papyrus projected on the wall! I'm like, what the heck?
This last week I have spotted the Papyrus font four different times. Twice at a craft show, being used on a vendor's sign and on another vendor's actual product, once on a bag of popery that was purchased from Wal-Mart, and once today on a signature for a user at another forum I frequent.
What the heck is going on? Did I develop Papyrii-Vision?
It's not that I have anything against this font, at least, none in particular. It's an attractive font, but jeez, when you're developing a commercial product maybe you should do something besides grab the coolest font off of your windows install? It's also ironic that, as I was writing this I decided to include a picture of the font for anyone who doesn't know what I'm talking about. Oddly enough, I don't even have it installed on my XP machine, but it is on my 98 machine.
Moral of the story? Hit up LarabieFonts.com for a font, rather than just skimming through what Windows gives you.
A while back I started noticing the same thing. Papyrus really is everywhere. I've seen it in the signs for stores in strip malls, in brochures, on the web, if I remember right, I even saw it on the package of something at the grocery store. A friend and I made it a game to try to spot Papyrus wherever we went.
A few weeks ago, a web design client needed the name of their company in the typeface Algerian. Now, I've started to see it everywhere too.
I agree with you. Whenever I see something in a default, novelty typeface, it says "amateur" to me.
Andy
A few weeks ago, a web design client needed the name of their company in the typeface Algerian. Now, I've started to see it everywhere too.
I agree with you. Whenever I see something in a default, novelty typeface, it says "amateur" to me.
Andy
Quote:Original post by aleclair
I agree with you. Whenever I see something in a default, novelty typeface, it says "amateur" to me.
Andy
Absolutely, that's exactly what I think. Basically, if I see a font I can name, it usually gives me a negative feeling about whatever I'm looking at (the exception being if someone has used a nice font like Georgia).
Quote:Original post by Fruny
Arial or Helvetica? | A quiz from iliveonyourvisits.com
Flunked. :(
Interesting article though. I actually prefer Helvetica over Arial for my design projects.
Between Papyrus, Bank Gothic, and Copperplate, about 2/3 of movies and TV shows are covered. And the worst part is, nobody's ever impressed by extensive knowledge of fonts.
For my money, you can't beat Garamond. Old-style serifs are the shiznit.
For my money, you can't beat Garamond. Old-style serifs are the shiznit.
Quote:Original post by SneftelFor my money, you can't beat Garamond. Old-style serifs are the shiznit.
I like Garamond for titles and header fonts, but I can't stand it for regular text. The movable type syndrome, I call it.
Quote:Original post by smart_idiotWith any luck it will replace comic sans.
Comic Sans is good for one thing, and one thing only.
Comics.
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