Comic Sans Shirt Round 2

A couple posts ago, I told the tale of how Comic Sans ruined the Christmas of 2010 for me. Christmas 2011 told a different story. Maybe it’s because my sister saw my post and wanted to clear her name or just because Helvetica always prevails in the end. Either way, my sister totally redeemed herself this Christmas with this gem under the tree. (See image above.) I’ll be rocking this anti-comic sans tee into the new year! Best. Gift. Ever. (However, the potato ricer I got from Grams was about equally as good because I really needed that for mashed potatoes.)

Since we are on the topic of Comic Sans, has anyone seen the Comic Sans Project? I hesitated posting a link to it because I really don’t want this web page to get any hits. However, it’s one of those things in life you should experience so you know what not to do in the future. Basically, the purpose of this website is to Comic Sans-ify popular logos. Why would one or more people waste their time doing this beats me. Like one of my design professors told me years ago, “Just because you can doesn’t mean you should”.

Although the site is hideous and makes me want to physically clean my computer screen, it is a good example of how Comic Sans degrades professionalism.

Logo courtesy of The Comic Sans Project http://comicsansproject.tumblr.com

Take this NASA logo for example. This logo went from a symbol of prestige and strength to looking like a 5th grade science club drawing in Microsoft Paint. I feel like the people involved in this project are all former tow company employees, who just get off on ruining people’s days whether it’s towing parked cars away for $200+ fines or redesigning logos in Comic Sans. Here’s their mission statement:

We are the Comic Sans defenders. We fear no fonts and we will make the whole world Comic Sans. Because Helvetica is sooo 2011.

Hmmmm… Not a fan. But as the saying goes, keep your friends close and your enemies closer. You can keep tabs on their antics on Twitter @comicsansprjct.

A Christmas Gift Gone Wrong

Helvetica in Comic Sans http://bit.ly/helvetica_shirt

In the spirit of Black Friday, I thought it would be appropriate to share a present of Christmas past. Spoiler alert: Helvetica is the victim in this story.

Let me set the scene… I’m at my parent’s house on Christmas morning opening presents with my family in a sun lit filled room with the dog tearing up wrapping paper under the coffee table and smiles of holiday bliss on all of our faces. My sister hands me the last present under the tree and it’s a gift for me from her. Excitedly, I rip off the paper, open the box, and pull out a grey t-shirt. My heart drops. I try to fake a smile, but the devil’s pitchfork is poking me in the heart. The shirt reads Helvetica in Comic Sans. After that, it is all kind of a blur. I don’t know if I said “thanks, but no thanks” or just bluntly said “I hope you kept the receipt because I’m not wearing this”.

My sister came so close to getting me a great gift. She knew I had an obsession for type and knew Helvetica was my favorite. Unfortunately, she just didn’t know what Helvetica looked like. I explained the irony of the tee and why some folks may find it funny. She claimed that this wasn’t her intent and that the thumb online was too small to make out the typeface. My heart wanted to believe her, but my brain knew better than that.

Was I a jerk? Well, that’s subjective. But I am a man of principle. I have refused to buy souvenir shirts in the past because of poor typography and have neglected some in my closet for the same reason. Never had Helvetica been the victim before, but it happens. Although it is impossible for a single person to evict poor typography and ugly typefaces from the world, I’ll do what I can to put an end to this infestation.

Please be mindful this holiday season. Ignorance is forgivable; Comic Sans is not.

If typefaces were people…

…they would have quite the personalities. Ain’t no party like a typeface party! Let’s get familiar with the faces, shall we.

There’s Impact, the guy that’s always talking about the gym. “I just came back from the gym.” “Yeah, I was working out today”. “Did you see me at the gym?” “I was there… working out.” “I usually start my workouts with about 10 minutes of kerning.”

Then there’s Eurostile, the guy that wears shiny club shirts and hooks up sluts like Eccentric Std and Curlz.

Cracked acts inconspicuously, alone in the corner doing… well, I think that’s pretty obvious.

Then there’s the teacher klan, Century Schoolbook, Chalkboard, Marker Felt, and SchoolHouse that stick together like Elmer’s non-toxic glue.

Century Gothic, the hipster with the Ray-Bans, flannel button shirts, and really into indie music.

Futura, the cool one driving a 2011 Hyundai Sonata.

We can’t forget about Zapfino, the pompous, rich bitch that hangs out with the “sophisticated” crowd and sends out the invitations to their balls and dances.

Uncle Bob, who seems nice at first, but after being with him for 5 minutes you feel a little creeped out and reach for your wallet to make sure it’s still there.

Wingdings and her half brother Dingbats, who both only get invited to parties because font families feel sorry for them. And honesty, who doesn’t like a mailbox when their drunk!?

Times New Roman, the one whom people always say “You remind me of someone”. He just has one of those faces.

Stay away from Hobo Std. or you’ll catch something that will itch.

Gill Sans is a friendly chap.

Georgia is a sweet southern gal. However, don’t drop Bodoni’s name around her or she’ll get bold!

Caslon’s bff’s with Bodoni.

Bank Gothic wears too much eyeliner. But if you’re into that kind of thing you may have found your match

Comic Sans has no friends.

Blackmoor LET likes to slay dragons with it’s descenders. Time to take off the cloak. It’s practically 2011 A.D.

Arial is a big time poser. So typical of a Microsoft font. Wouldn’t be surprised to see Arial put ketchup on a hotdog.

Oh yeah, Optima. This one tries to please everyone. Should be in politics. Oh that’s right, that already happened. (Side note: Optima was John McCain’s official presidential campaign typeface. Guess he was the wrong type. Pun.)

Verdana is very flexible. She’s there whenever you need her.

Playbill is a big time drama queen. Makes me want to punch her in her  fat, slabby serifs.

Despite their diversity, the Lucidas stick together. Rule of thumb here is if you see a Lucida, figure there are another couple of family members nearby.

The Palatino family is great. Elegant and sophisticated. A pleasure.

Last, but certainly not least, there’s Helvetica. The most popular one at the party. Helvetica transcends time and popularity. One night Hel’s sippin’ bubbly with Baskerville in a NYC penthouse, the next day Hel’s leading the way, working hands on with subscripts making them super. Helvetica is accessible to everyone and is open and true.

However, Helvetica’s niece Helvetica Neue UltraLight realizes her good looks. And let me tell ya, no one can pull off skinny jeans like UltaLight can. No one.