In Defense of Papyrus: Your Guide for When to Use Despised Fonts
“SNL” mocked it, but like all hated fonts, it has its place in the design fabric of the universe.
Tensions flared in the typography fandom when Saturday Night Live featured a sketch mocking the Papyrus typeface; in particular, its appearance in the title for James Cameron’s Avatar.
As a typography enthusiast, I must object to this round dismissal of Papyrus.ttf. Every typeface has its time and its place — even Papyrus. Even Wingdings. Yes, even Comic Sans. Sure, that time and place might be on the signage for a preschool in a suburban Wisconsin strip mall. But though coastal elites deny it, that is, indeed, a real place.
Hence, I’ve assembled a quick guide to much-loathed fonts accompanied by details as to what kinds of establishments may use them without being mocked. Break these rules at your own peril.
Amatic SC
Lobster
Fredericka the Great
Hobo
Pacifico
Rosewood Std Regular
Orbitron
Blurfont
Helvetica Neue
Quantico
Allstar Regular
Satisfy
American Typewriter
Times New Roman
Comic Sans
[Update! Apparently I missed some of the most-despised fonts, so you can read the thrilling follow-up by clicking here].
