Tall Skinny Font Seeks Perfect Mate...

September 11, 2013 9:52 AM

Let's get this out of the way: I really know nothing about graphic design or fonts. I have a blog, and my blog title is in Strangelove Next Narrow font. The blog is about a pretty lighthearted subject matter, and the title uses multiple bright colors for the letters and looks pretty playful. (I don't want to link it, so you'll have to take my word for it. It's fun.) I want to add a tagline near the blog title in my header, and I'm stumped as to what font I should use...help?

I don't want to use Strangelove Next Narrow for the tagline, but I want a font that complements it. I want it to be clear and legible, but also to go with the feeling of the Strangelove font--so, not too buttoned-up, stodgy, or boring. I don't think I want a script font, but if your argument is persuasive I could change my mind.

Double bonus points if your font suggestion would also pair well with Strangelove on business cards! Or suggest an alternate business card-y font to go along with it. Although the subject matter is fun, I still take my blog seriously, so I'm trying to straddle the line between lighthearted and professional.

Hat tip to all you graphic design people, choosing fonts is no joke. Thanks in advance!

posted by Bella Sebastian to Media & Arts (9 answers total)

Response by poster: Dang, I forgot to add: a free font would be ideal, but I'm willing to pay for the absolute perfect font, provided it's not hundreds of dollars or something.
posted by Bella Sebastian at 9:54 AM on September 11, 2013

Handvetica (free)
It's got the hand-drawn feel in common with Strangelove, but a nice contrast in weight. I would likely keep it black or a dark neutral if your title is already multi-colored. Also scales down nicely so it should be quite legible for a business card. Sketchetik Light (free) is another option.
posted by Kabanos at 10:09 AM on September 11, 2013

Best answer: I'm but a blithering amateur in this field, although I love typefaces. I take it that you want to stay away from a serif typeface, since that will be more "stodgy," but consider a serif anyways. All of these suggestions are sans, which might go better with your chosen aesthetic.

The typeface Gibson comes to mind and is priced very well. It's a little bit more buttoned up but not too much, and has some width to balance the narrowness of your title typeface.

Maybe Junction by the League of Moveable Type -- bonus -- free! They produce a lot of great typefaces; check out the entire list.

I kind of like Brandon Text and Steagal, from MyFonts, although Steagal might be too lighthearted.

FF Bau - YUM but expensive.

FF Super Grotesk - fun, and has alternates if you don't like single-storey "a"s.

Other ideas: Comenia Sans, Effra, JAF Bernina Sans, Fakt.
posted by ArgyleGargoyle at 10:13 AM on September 11, 2013 [1 favorite]

One more comment (IANA graphic designer, though, so grains of salt, etc.): for small type on a business card, and to give some "weight" or "seriousness" to your enterprise (without being stodgy!), choosing as your additional typeface a style not hand-drawn may be a good idea.
posted by ArgyleGargoyle at 10:16 AM on September 11, 2013 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Thanks to those who've answered so far, and I promise not to threadsit. Just thought in light of the previous comments, I should add that I'm leaning away from a hand-drawn font, especially on the business card--I think Strangelove already has that base covered. I welcome both serif and sans-serif suggestions if you think they're good fits.
posted by Bella Sebastian at 10:21 AM on September 11, 2013

Excellent suggestions from Argyle. I think a clean, typographic (not hand-lettered) sans is the way to go, and all of the above (except Steagal) are very well made. More recommended sans serifs here.

Also, Herman Miller has used Strangelove and FF Meta to good effect.

And, AG, maybe you should be a graphic designer. You certainly have an eye for good type.
posted by Typographica at 10:24 AM on September 11, 2013 [3 favorites]

I would disagree with kabanos in suggesting another handwritten font. When pairing typefaces you want heaps of contrast.

If you want to keep the whimsy, but have a more "strict" feeling font, I'd suggest a slab serif, they're frequently used for cute things. Josefin Slab in semi-bold (600), specifically. It's free and also a web font, so will display on any webpage. (that gives the option for having body copy in this typeface-but I'd set the body copy at 400 weight).
posted by FirstMateKate at 10:26 AM on September 11, 2013 [3 favorites]

Best answer: Definitely go with some kind of geometric, clean sans serif; I'd suggest something humanist or neo-humanist. FF Meta was actually on the list of faces I was thinking would go well with Strangelove, so good job Herman Miller. My first thought was Myriad, although Frutiger, Gill Sans or Syntax could also go great. You may also want to play with weights—there are some contexts where a semi-bold or even a bold would really balance a large Strangelove.
posted by General Malaise at 11:32 AM on September 11, 2013

Response by poster: Thanks all! I really like a lot of the suggestions (current favorites are Gill Sans and Junction) and the label "humanist" helped give me an idea of how to narrow my search. I haven't decided what I'll go with, but I now have lots of great options!
posted by Bella Sebastian at 2:28 PM on September 15, 2013