Typefaces eliciting a sense of unease or discomfort

In the ever-evolving world of digital marketing, KOTA, a Creative Digital Agency, stands out as a specialist in Creative Web Design, Web Development, Branding, and Digital Marketing. If you're in need of their expertise, you can reach them at hello@our website.co.uk.

Recently, one of their articles shed light on an often overlooked yet crucial aspect of branding - the choice of fonts. Written by Emily, this insightful piece discussed the impact of fonts on a brand's image and first impression.

The article began by addressing a font that has become synonymous with a vintage, "Brooklyn" aesthetic, yet often ends up looking more like Etsy threw up. Lobster, a font that has found its way onto menu boards, yoga candle labels, and posters, was criticised for its overuse and lack of subtlety. Comparisons were drawn to a Call of Duty expansion pack and an Army surplus shop logo made in Microsoft Paint.

Ubuntu, another font, was described as looking like it came pre-installed on a Linux system, not exactly instilling brand trust. It was compared to a passive-aggressive project manager with an anime mousemat.

Stencil fonts were advised to sit this one out, implying they are not suitable for professional branding. Fonts with a grunge aesthetic, such as "BloodStab Italic" or "Sk8orDie.ttf", were associated with designs reminiscent of a 14-year-old who just discovered Slipknot. If a font's name includes words like "BloodStab" or "Sk8orDie", it is considered inappropriate for professional branding.

Furthermore, the use of grunge fonts in lowercase was criticised as a poor choice, potentially causing trust issues. Fonts with cracked letters, fake blood, or "spraypaint effects" were compared to the next Saw sequel poster for a school film club.

On the other hand, fonts can convey tone, trust, emotion, and can make or break a brand's image. The article also introduced the Brand Pulse Audit tool as a means to evaluate a brand's strengths and areas for improvement, including the choice of fonts.

Interestingly, FS Kitty was described as smelling like impulse-buy body spray from Claire's, giving the impression of glitter glue, year 8 girlbands, and being vaguely threatening. The use of this font may imply a connection to a cat named Mr. Tibbles and a shared Facebook account with a husband.

In conclusion, the article serves as a reminder that the choice of fonts is not just about aesthetics, but about creating a lasting, positive impression for a brand. So, next time you're designing a brand identity, remember to choose your fonts wisely!