Fonts, fonts and more fonts!

This go-around in the game of "what font will I use for my magazine masthead" I decided to step outside my comfort zone. In the last post, I discussed the intrigue of artsy fonts, that resemble brushstrokes. I liked this appeal because it spoke to this concept that I absolutely adored, that fashion in itself is its own art form. Thus, I admit I was attracted to this artistic approach, but I have my hesitations about this particular style fitting with the bold and avant garde style of my magazine. While these fonts are something that I would normally gravitate to for any other project, it may be too dainty and minimalist for Luk. 

So, I decided to return to Dafont and take another look at more bold and out-there fonts that would push the limits more in design. I don't want something too corny or cheesy because it would take my publication from youthful to just plain childish. Hopefully, I can find a happy medium between sophisticated and bold. 

The first font I looked at was this one entitled empires. I admit, at first glance, I was not too fond of this one. However, the more I looked at it, the more it grew on me. The font is supposed to resemble a sort of graffiti depiction, which offers that artistic appeal that I was looking for before. This one to me is definitely more unconventional but I like that about it. It's gritty and fun and daring, all aspects that I'd like my magazine to convey. The only issue is the design puts a sort of line underneath each letter, which slightly inhibits the legibility of the text. I know what it says (because I came up with the title) but I am concerned that onlookers will not be as able to clearly read it as me. However, it's still fun and different and definitely worth considering. 

The moment I saw this font, David Elika, I couldn't help but squeal. It's perfect. It's bold and daring but also artistic (peep the brush stroke effect) and just screams young, wild and free. I love it! There's something wonderfully intimidating about the way this font makes my magazine title look. The use of all capitalization works perfectly with this font, as much as I love my lowercase letter, I'm really digging this look. This too doesn't show the accent mark above the 'u' but the more that I think about it, I'm pretty sure I can just insert the accent mark separately on top of the text. Maybe I'm just thinking of ways to not have to let this font go, but in all honesty, most font designs that I have looked at do not include the accent mark I need. I really like the punk appeal of this font as well, because although my publication isn't really centered on punk fashion, it does channel that same youthful energy of challenging the norm and shaking stuff up. Right now, this font is a number one contender. 

Sensaka carries that same bold "look at me" effect that I was craving, but the rounded edges are not sitting well with me. It'd definitely large enough to hold its own on a cover page, but the rounded look makes it appear more childish than I care for. Something about rounded-edged fonts remind me too much of the dreaded Comic Sans (see for reference). I want my magazine to be taken seriously and I'm not sure this font is the best way to accomplish that.

This font, Guttenbay, has the aspects of a winner in my book. Granted, it's a little small, but it carries that sort of scrawled handwriting, intentionally messy effect. I like the loops created by the cursive font, and unlike the other ones, I think it adds a sort of a feminine vibe to the masthead, which I am all for. I have some concerns about this taking up too little space, but the simplicity of this font is really attractive. 

Herdrock was the last one I looked it, and I found it halfway between the David Elika and Sensaka fonts. You'd think that this love child would steal my heart, but it actually only makes me like the David Elika font more. I do enjoy this font more than Sensaka, because it has an added layer of maturity, but something about it is still not sitting right with me. I like it, I just don't love it. It does, however, tone down the punkish vibe of the David Elika font, and make it more lighthearted, which softens the look of my magazine cover. Thus, despite my hesitations, this font still sits towards the top of my list. 

Alright, upon going over my font picks between this post and last post, I have put together an *indefinite* ranking of which fonts I am leaning towards: 

1. David Elika 

2. Guttenbay

3.Rockness

4. Herdrock 

5. Julietta Messie

6. Empires

7.Fontrust

8. Sensaka

Since even when considering the fonts from the last post, David Elika still comes up on top, I think I'll start experiementing with how that looks on a mock cover page, along with some of the other frontrunners. Wish me luck!