Comic Sans | Type Set
The bane of most typographers, the “dreaded” Comic Sans. Why is it so polarizing a font and how did it come about? Well let’s dive deep into Comic Sans and discuss what it is and how to use it effectively.
Origins of Comic Sans
Comic Sans was developed by Vincent Connare and is categorized as a “casual” script typeface featuring non-connecting letters. Taking inspiration from comics, the font was designed to be used in informal documents and child education. Connare had previously developed fonts for applications with children users in the early 90s.
One thing that we have to keep in mind when discussing Comic Sans is the context and then the cultural explosion that has changed the ideas behind Comic Sans after the fact. Microsoft Bob was a program designed to improve user interface and initially was developed with Times New Roman. When Vincent Connare went to create a replacement as Times New Roman was too formal, the font wasn’t ready in time and thus wasn’t included. However, in 1995 it was included for the help sections of Windows 3D Movie Maker developed by Microsoft Kids. The typeface was then later released in the Windows 95 Plus pack, an expansion on the Windows 95 operating system.
Once released, Comic Sans was at the disposal of anyone with a computer. It became ubiquitous with poor font choices within a few years. Some people claim that the typeface is good for dyslexics and causes people to slow down their reading speed. It has been argued that this reduction in reading speed can lead to higher retention of information. While the font may be panned by many, its influence can be felt across many of the handwritten typefaces. The popularity of the design and its various imperfections showed that there was an area of type design on computers that could be explored.
Analysis of Comic Sans
What makes Comic Sans optimized for child education? Comic Sans’ readability comes from a number of factors that are listed below.
X-Height and Cap Height
The x-height of Comic Sans is considerably higher than that of most other fonts with a cap height that is also large. The difference between the two heights however appears to be less than other fonts and thus decreases readability.
Counters
The counters in Comic Sans are large especially in comparison to the stroke of the actual letterform. This causes multiple issues as some letter forms begin to not look quite as distinct and thus slow reading. Take for example the a and o. In a font like Georgia, the o is a circular letterform while the a is a double decker (Roman) version of the a letterform. This creates a distinction that viewers can easily discern and understand.
Ascenders
The ascenders are above the cap height which strengthens the differentiation from the capital letters and the lowercase letterforms. Ascenders are also extremely close to the x-height however which adds to further confusion in the typeface’s readability.
Strokes
Comic Sans’ strokes are imperfect to give it that handwritten appearance. The weight of Comic Sans has to rely on similar principles to that as Georgia and Verdana due to the time it was created and hence why it is a thicker weight than modern fonts.
Tracking
Comic Sans tracking, or space between each letter is rather large to try and appear more handwritten and as a knock on effect, allow for the characters to breathe and not be confused with one another.
Bold
Comic Sans, like Georgia, is a typeface that is darker than most other bolds. The reason for this is because at the time, computer fonts were bitmaps, and either a pixel was black or white. On old computers, one pixel is a quite sizable difference and there was no option to use half a pixel.
Comic Sans Pro
Comic Sans has since received an update on April 1, 2011 that many interpreted to be a joke at first however it was legitimate. The updated typeface, Comic Sans Pro includes:
- Adds new italic variants of the original fonts
- Added swashes, small capitals, extra ornaments and symbols including speech bubbles, onomatopoeia and dingbats,
- Also added text figures and other stylistic alternates
Uses of Comic Sans
Looking at Comic Sans seriously for a second the only real use aside from comedy is to use the typeface as a display font. Even then with such widespread ridicule behind the typeface there probably would be little value in this. However when used for onomatopoeia and speech bubbles in comic style illustrations Comic Sans does appear to have a more accepted use.
Compatible Font Pairings
Comic Sans is the most successful imperfect font of all time, and thus can be looked at as an (albeit modest) influence on handwritten display typefaces of today. When used in this context, Comic Sans is a versatile typeface that can be paired with many options.
Ubuntu
Ubuntu, a sans-serif font, pairs well as a body copy font with Comic Sans. Similar in weight, Ubuntu is a clean sans serif and modern typeface. The typeface was designed and developed in conjunction with the Ubuntu project by Dalton Maag in 2011. Featuring kerning for modern computer screens, it is a great pairing to add a sense of cleanliness to the clutter that Comic Sans brings.
Tiempos Text
Tiempos Text is a modern serif based typeface that was designed to be an update to Times New Roman and Plantin. Coming in multiple different weights, this font can work as the body copy in print work to a Comic Sans based headline.
Maven Pro
Maven Pro is the last font pairing to discuss with Comic Sans. A sans-serif, simply modern, rounded edge typeface that works well for body copy. The contrast between the two typeface styles does create a clear delineation between headline and body copy that is immediately intuitive.
Alternative Font Options to Comic Sans
Some people will say any font is a better alternative to Comic Sans, and while that may be true in theory there are a few alternatives that shine above the rest.
Comic Neue
Comic Neue is a font that takes the spirit of Comic Sans and runs with it. Redesigning Comic Sans for the modern day. Instead of the squished, mismatched, and overall odd glyphs, Comic Neue looks to create a legible typeface from what works and what doesn’t in Comic Sans. Cleaning the letterforms into a casual display face.
Coffee Morning
Coffee Morning takes the idea of imperfection found in Comic Sans and works to give a vintage yet modern look. Featuring both serif and sans serif versions, Coffee Morning is rugged and appears almost handmade with rounded edges. One notable difference is the fact that the lowercase letters are all small caps instead of a different case being drawn.
Paper Daisy
The last substitute to discuss is Paper Daisy. Paper Daisy takes the hand drawn nature of Comic Sans to another level. Featuring a more condensed look than traditional typefaces, usage of Paper Daisy in place of Comic Sans can add a more done-by-hand look and goes with the hand drawn style of typography that was recently in vogue.
Conclusion
Comic Sans it can be argued as having pioneered and popularized the idea of imperfections within type and the idea of digital handwritten fonts. While it may be hated, the typeface has had a lasting impression in popular culture and isn’t something that can be ignored. While it may not be the most formal or modern, it was part of the origin as to where we got today. Learning the lessons of the past errors in legibility has allowed other typefaces to flourish as well as educated the average consumer that type choice matters. People now know what has been overused and no longer (if ever) aesthetically pleasing even if they don’t exactly know why.
