"Handwritten" is more of a descriptive than a technical term, but we all know what's meant. Basically, anything that looks like it may have been written by hand, from fancy cursive to messy block letters, is a handwritten font.
They used to be around a lot more frequently, but the era of responsive design has seen them somewhat disappear, as they don't lend themselves easily to scaling across devices and screens. You can still use them, of course, but caution is definitely required. It takes very specific types of brands to pull off handwritten fonts, as they make a big statement nowadays.
Before choosing a handwritten font, take into account where and how the design will be used, and who it's meant to appeal to. They can be very effective for conveying both elegance and quirkiness, depending on how they're applied. Chalk boards and vintage signs can be great inspiration for this particular type of type design.
Here are four areas where handwriting can still work really well, if applied very carefully and deliberately.
Identity design: Logos
A handwritten font for a logo can be an amazing choice, or a disastrous one, but rarely anything in-between. They're always full of character, so make sure that character matches the brand you're trying to represent before moving forward. Pretty much anything corporate or conservative - stay away. It'll be too distracting to be taken seriously. Not that handwritten fonts can't be serious or conservative – but there's a time and a place.
Handwriting can be great for representing brands that are about personal connection or children, such as child care centers or charities. Companies wanting to stand out for flair and creativity, like fashion designers or photographers, may also benefit. If you do choose a handwritten font, make sure it is clearly legible, as scaling it across device screens can make it completely useless otherwise. So, again – proceed with caution.
Social Media Artwork: Banners and Posts
One area where handwriting is still totally on trend is on social media images, especially motivational quotes. They're a great shorthand for instantly evoking emotion and character, making it great for a scrolling audience that needs to have its attention captured. You can create cursive design for old-fashioned quotes or sarcasm, or use wild scribbles for inspiration and motivation.
It doesn't always have to be quotes though. Sometimes a well-placed word in an ad campaign would do better in hand writing. Again, think about your message, your audience, and your purpose. Then play around with different options until you find that perfect balance.
Print Layouts
Using handwriting on physical products like posters, magazines, flyers, brochures, book covers is still a great idea, especially as it largely eliminates the problem of scalability on screens.
If you decide to do this, treat the hand writing just like any other design element, making sure it balances well across the page and fits into the hierarchy as well as the overall look of the design. Going all-out on handwriting can be a tad overwhelming, so think about combining it with more traditional serif or sans-serif fonts to keep things clean. Remember – balance is key.
Don't be afraid of creating your own handwritten font for a custom look. Pre-designed digital handwriting can be stiff and look motionless, which is the exact opposite of what you're trying to achieve. So go ahead and design your own font.
Print layouts are one area where even corporate clients can benefit from handwriting, so think about it as an option for that next annual report coming across your desk.
Clothing: T-shirts
Handwriting can be amazing for branded t-shirts and other clothing, as its eye-catching and charismatic. In fact, more and more shirts are using fonts reminiscent of vintage handwritten signs, where the typeface is cursive, bold weight, and angled.
What to take into consideration is where is it going to be placed. Generally, the larger and more centered it is, the more obvious and dominant it is, which can take focus from other design elements. Remember to focus on a harmonious design hierarchy and try to follow the "less is more"doctrine.
Also remember to take into account bleed; will an intricate design print well enough to be legible? In most cases, try to go for something that's fairly clear and easy to read. Usually people don't want to spend too much time staring at other people's clothes when trying to read something. So if you're trying to spread a brand message, make it recognizable at a glance.
Want More?
Love good typography? So do we. For amazing fonts and tips on how to shine at type, check out these articls:
Top 25 Free Fonts of 2015 Designer Collection
Typographic Terms Every Designer Should Know
The Typographic Terms You Need To Know To Turn You Into An Expert Designer
Looking for a logo with a handwritten font? Try BrandCrowd's Handwritten Logo Maker.
Written by Divya Abe on Monday, March 7, 2016
Divya Abe is an expert graphic designer ready to share her knowledge with the crowd. Besides spending quality time on the internet she enjoys anything to do with cats. Get in touch via Google+.
