My Favorite Things: Futura
This is the first entry in a new string of blog entries featuring some of my favorite things (like raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens).
Up first, my favorite typeface: Futura.
As a designer it’s a tough call for me to come up with a favorite font – I like so many. I could really come up with a favorite or two of each type (sans serif, serif, slab serif, etc.). But after some consideration, I settled on Futura (designed by Paul Renner between 1924 and 1926) as my absolute favorite.
First criteria: it’s a sans serif font, so it’s modern and simple. I like Helvetica (of course) and Gill Sans, but Futura has an certain appeal that those two lack. Leading to my second criteria: it has some tangible personality. Futura adds instant nostalgia without looking dated, especially when you use Futura Bold tracked out a bit. Crazy how it doesn’t look dated (in a bad way) considering this font is almost 100 years old. Third: It comes in a heap of weights all with obliques (italics), for a wide range of uses.
Notable uses of Futura include public signage, the title sequences in Wes Anderson’s movies (and adding nostalgic appeal to the films themselves (above)), graphic identities like Union Pacific and even on the moon. Try throwing some Futura into your word docs and powerpoints to add a bit of retro cool when compared to the usual monotony of Arial, Myriad and Verdana.
Disagree? That’s cool, just let me know your go to typeface below (it’s not funny to say Comic Sans)…
2 Responses to “My Favorite Things: Futura”
Jason Dorn - July 24, 2009
I’ve been mulling this topic over ever since you posted this entry, and although Futura is great, I can’t help but associate it with Ikea. Not a bad thing mind you, just seems everytime I start using it I find myself saying “this looks too much like ikea” and opting for something else.
But to answer you question about my “go to” typeface, I’d have to say Interstate.
I’ve found myself using it almost weekly it seems. I think my favourite thing about it is just how versatile it is when you switch up between mixed case and all upper case lettering.
When used in mixed case it’s a modern approachable font. But when you go all upper case it looks more edgy and imposing, suitable for both friendly consumer products and edgy skateboard mags.
Plus I love the angled tops of the lowercase d’s and t’s.
This revolution looked better on paper. » Blog Archive » Ikea commits typographic suicide. - August 26, 2009
[...] to a post on idsgn Ikea has ditched it’s iconic futura typeface for the vomit inducing [...]
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