Fonts: I don’t think there’s a lamer, more generic thing I would want to talk about. But I really do. If one super interesting thing has happened in the last 10 years, it’s the mobilization of technology (forget international terrorism, the first biracial president, or economic meltdown).
Before laptops and internet-capable phones, computer technological advancements stayed exactly where we left them: at home. The internet was an incredible advancement in the 90s, but we all had dial-up. Our huge desktop computers with their fancy schmancy internet stayed plugged into the wall of the office, and we went about our days in peace. Now, the instant access to internet and everyone we know via Facebook on our iPhones… there’s no escaping it.
That makes a hugungous proportion of our communication, and therefore our lives, existing in typed writing. 90% (total guess) of my daily social interaction is on Facebook, email, or text message. That brings us to the importance of the visual representation of that communication. Whether we’re talking to someone face-to-face or in writing, the way the visuals comprise the message is half the message itself.
Which brings me to my primary assertion: fonts require far more consideration today than ever before. San serif or serif, bold or italicized, simple or ornate, fonts speak just as much to our ideas as a jumble of silly words.
So next time you’re writing your “OMG I was soooo drunk” email, choose your font carefully. Let the letters talk as much as the words… you may be amazed at the layers of meaning you’ll achieve. Or how much you’ll embarrass yourself when you accidentally send it to your grandma.
--Becky
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