When it comes to marketing brochures, posters, books, newspapers, magazines, what’s the first thing you notice? The stories and messages are all well and good, but subconsciously (and for designers, consciously) most people notice the font of these items. A font can make or break a design, and font has the power to make the reader feel however the designer intended.

 

Metroscript

Script fonts add a touch of class and formality to anything, from restaurant menus to brochures featuring a ballet recital. Metroscript was created by New York lettering artist Michael Doret, adapted from his unique hand lettering style for use on the computer. Metroscript has been called “one of the most sophisticated suites of script fonts on the market.”

 

Corinthia

Created by Rob Leuschke, this script font is both elegant and gracious. This font would do well on invitations, romantic book covers or a formal, classy product package.

 

Bree

Created by Veronika Burian and Jose Scaglione, this original font is based on the logo of TypeTogether, and is one of the most original sans-serif fonts created last year. Bree would work well on posters or on product packaging.

 

Marat

Marat is a great, original serif font that is compact yet legible. Marat was created by Ludwig Ubele and was MyFonts.com’s best selling serif text font of 2008.

 

Aviano Serif

Designed by Jeremy Dooley, Aviano Serif is based on the classically inspired structure of Aviano but with more weights and a sturdier look.

 

Helvetica

Developed by Max Miedinger in 1957, Helvetica has stood the test of time as one of the most loved and most hated fonts. Its use is great for billboards because of its easy readability, and works well as headers in brochures, magazines, etc., as well.

 

Garamond

Garamond is an oldie but a goodie: it came to prominence in the 1540s and was used in a series of books. Ever since, it’s given books, posters, brochures and any printed material that needs a classic look that elegant feel without being too pompous.

 

Optima

Optima is most widely known for its use on the Vietnam Wall Memorial. Optima works well in print because it looks modern, but exhibits classically roman proportions and character. Although it is a sans-serif font, its tapering stems make it look like a serif font at first glance.

 

Caslon

Created by William Caslon I in the early 18th century, Caslon is one of the oldest living typefaces. It’s an easy replacement for Times when you’ve seen just a little too much Times.

 

Gill Sans

Created by Eric Gill, an English engraver, in 1927. Gill also created Perpetua and Felicity in 1925. Gill Sans was the first successful sans type based on the humanist models of the Renaissance.

 

Myriad

Robert Slimbach and Carol Twombly created Myriad for Adobe Systems in 1991. Apple uses Myriad as its corporate font. It’s an ideal text face due to its legibility and economy. It appears to have been inspired by Frutiger.