Un Appealing Font Choices Causing Discomfort
In the world of branding, every detail counts, and one often overlooked aspect is the choice of font. A news article published on August 6th, 2025, sheds light on this topic, highlighting the impact of fonts on a brand's identity.
Grunge fonts, such as "BloodStab Italic" or "Sk8orDie.ttf," are commonly associated with school film club posters for horror movies. However, if a brand's message is 'we sell scented gel pens and chaos,' grunge fonts like FS Kitty might be appropriate. But for brands aiming to convey trustworthiness, grunge fonts are not suitable. In fact, the use of grunge fonts in a brand's identity can imply a connection to a cat named Mr. Tibbles and a shared Facebook account with a husband.
FS Kitty font, described as smelling like impulse-buy body spray from Claire's, resembling glitter glue, and being vaguely threatening, is an example of a grunge font. It's the font that makes a high-growth fintech look like a gastropub in Surrey.
Another font to avoid is Lobster. Comparable to a Call of Duty expansion pack and an "Army surplus shop logo made in Microsoft Paint," Lobster font can make a brand appear unprofessional. It's what happens when someone discovers ligatures and loses all restraint, seen on menu boards, yoga candle labels, and posters, trying to be vintage or "Brooklyn," but ending up looking like Etsy threw up. The use of 'Lobster' font can make a high-growth fintech look like a gastropub in Surrey.
Stencil fonts are also advised to sit this one out. They are not suitable for branding as they can come across as too edgy or unprofessional.
Ubuntu font, originally developed by the type foundry Dalton Maag as the official font for the Ubuntu operating system, is another font to avoid. It resembles a passive-aggressive project manager with an anime mousemat and doesn't convey brand trust.
The Brand Pulse Audit tool can help audit a brand's identity, including font choices, in minutes. Interested parties can contact KOTA, a Creative Digital Agency based in Clerkenwell London, specializing in Creative Web Design, Web Development, Branding, and Digital Marketing, at hello@our website.co.uk.
The article also mentions the infamous Ryan Gosling's SNL meltdown over the use of Papyrus in Avatar. The lesson here is clear: fonts convey tone, trust, and emotion, and can ruin a brand's image. Choose wisely.
