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Wherein we discuss the merits of Comic Sans

Started by Shai Hulud, November 12, 2009, 11:54:45 PM

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What is your opinion of controversial font Comic Sans?

Comic Sans makes my eyes bleed.
9 (45%)
I think Comic Sans is a luverly, charming font.
1 (5%)
I have no opinion one way or the other about comics sans, just as long as you're not writing useless bullshit with it.
9 (45%)
What the fuck is Comic Sans?
1 (5%)

Total Members Voted: 20

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Shai Hulud

November 12, 2009, 11:54:45 PM Last Edit: November 12, 2009, 11:58:49 PM by Guy_Incognito
Ok, so I'm been having an argument on the Webcomic List Forums about the Comic Sans font that is so much maligned.  Personally, I don't get why people hate it so much, and I have a sneaking suspicion it's just bandwagon behavior and most of these haters wouldn't know Comic Sans from Helvetica.  But I figure PD.com is a churning cauldron of hatred, so if I'm likely to hear a decent argument against Comic Sans it would be here.  So anyone have any thoughts?

Kai

#1
November 13, 2009, 01:45:39 AM
Arial, bitches.
If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water. --Loren Eisley, The Immense Journey

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MMIX

#2
November 13, 2009, 01:57:19 AM
Its legible - WTF more do you need?
"The ultimate hidden truth of the world is that it is something we make and could just as easily make differently" David Graeber

Mesozoic Mister Nigel

#3
November 13, 2009, 03:04:14 AM
"I'm guessing it was January 2007, a meeting in Bethesda, we got a bag of bees and just started smashing them on the desk," Charles Wick said. "It was very complicated."

LMNO

#4
November 13, 2009, 01:11:05 PM

AFK

#5
November 13, 2009, 01:48:27 PM
It's okay, but it seems to be lacking something. 
Cynicism is a blank check for failure.

Mesozoic Mister Nigel

#6
November 13, 2009, 04:34:13 PM
Quote from: R W H N on November 13, 2009, 01:48:27 PM
It's okay, but it seems to be lacking something. 

  :x
"I'm guessing it was January 2007, a meeting in Bethesda, we got a bag of bees and just started smashing them on the desk," Charles Wick said. "It was very complicated."

Cramulus

#7
November 13, 2009, 05:26:58 PM
all fonts have their own "tone" or "voice". To me, comic sans "sounds" childish and unprofessional.

Can you imagine reading wikipedia in comic sans? It sure wouldn't feel like an encyclopedia.


Usually you see it used on bad flyers or corporate e-mails which were written by someone with no sense of style. I've always found it to be a kind of juvenile feeling font.


Mesozoic Mister Nigel

#8
November 13, 2009, 05:28:26 PM
Quote from: Cramulus on November 13, 2009, 05:26:58 PM
all fonts have their own "tone" or "voice". To me, comic sans "sounds" childish and unprofessional.

Can you imagine reading wikipedia in comic sans? It sure wouldn't feel like an encyclopedia.


Usually you see it used on bad flyers or corporate e-mails which were written by someone with no sense of style. I've always found it to be a kind of juvenile feeling font.




It has its place.

The idea of Wikipedia in Comic Sans totally made me laugh. Also, IRS documents.
"I'm guessing it was January 2007, a meeting in Bethesda, we got a bag of bees and just started smashing them on the desk," Charles Wick said. "It was very complicated."

Cramulus

#9
November 13, 2009, 05:37:50 PM
I thought this video was very interesting:

http://lifehacker.com/5219538/should-comic-sans-be-banned


Comic Sans seems to have a sort of "forced funny" or "LET'S GET SILLY" twang to it.

Mesozoic Mister Nigel

#10
November 13, 2009, 05:39:37 PM
Quote from: Cramulus on November 13, 2009, 05:37:50 PM
I thought this video was very interesting:

http://lifehacker.com/5219538/should-comic-sans-be-banned


Comic Sans seems to have a sort of "forced funny" or "LET'S GET SILLY" twang to it.

Which is why it's unintentionally hilarious when it's used inappropriately.

"I'm guessing it was January 2007, a meeting in Bethesda, we got a bag of bees and just started smashing them on the desk," Charles Wick said. "It was very complicated."

Shai Hulud

#11
November 13, 2009, 07:44:46 PM Last Edit: November 13, 2009, 07:46:28 PM by Guy_Incognito
Quote from: Cramulus on November 13, 2009, 05:26:58 PM
all fonts have their own "tone" or "voice". To me, comic sans "sounds" childish and unprofessional.

Can you imagine reading wikipedia in comic sans? It sure wouldn't feel like an encyclopedia.


Great video Cramulus!  I completely agree with you about fonts having their own voice, and I definitely wouldn't want it on wikipedia.  I'm a big believer of everything being in its right place.

What struck me, though, is that people hate Comic Sans even when it's appropriate, such as in the webcomics community where it seems to be pretty universally reviled.  Even the students they interviewed in the video seem to have an irrational hatred for it, saying things like its only appropriate for "age eighth grade [sic] and under" and shit like that.  What's that all about, I mean she just said it looked good on the Starbucks logo for crying out loud.

I'll be honest, I don't really like the font either, but I don't mind it when it's used appropriately, like in comics and other less formal situations.  


Quote from: Kai on November 13, 2009, 01:45:39 AM
Arial, bitches.
:mittens:

Mesozoic Mister Nigel

#12
November 13, 2009, 08:56:11 PM
People like to hang onto their little kneejerky "everybody knows it sucks" ideals.

Even me.
"I'm guessing it was January 2007, a meeting in Bethesda, we got a bag of bees and just started smashing them on the desk," Charles Wick said. "It was very complicated."

fomenter

#13
November 13, 2009, 09:04:33 PM
i didn't think it sucked, i actually liked it and used it a lot before i discovered font snobbery and realized weird esoteric meanings and social status were being attached to fonts  :argh!: ....   comic sans (IMHO) happens to be one of the easiest to read  "don't have to squint at the screen (especially bad screens) fonts"
"So she says to me, do you wanna be a BAD boy? And I say YEAH baby YEAH! Surf's up space ponies! I'm makin' gravy... Without the lumps. HAAA-ha-ha-ha!"


hmroogp

Template

#14
November 13, 2009, 10:50:32 PM
"Controversial" font?

A controversial font would be one made of swastikas, or that killed a baby whenever a page is printed with it.
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