Dafont ain't da devil!!!

Ok so since I started in graphic design I have heard few things despised so much as Dafont.com. I have heard so much bad press from this site that you would think it should have a "For Mature Audiences Only" sign stapled to the homepage. I hear so many times things like "These ****ing kids need to stay off Dafont.com. This piece sucks." "I know that font, I have seen it so many times!" "Stay of Dafont. It's the devil and it rots away the design lobe of your brain."

Okay so maybe I'm stretching it a little on the last one but you get my drift. So many people really don't like this site and it is a shame because it can be such a great resource.

-Note- I said CAN be.

I say can because the problem I see so many times is a font that either doesn't fit with the overall composition or it is a font that I have seen many many many times. For example there was a levi's commercial that aired a little while ago that was using a font called, Bleeding Cowboys. I immediately recognized the font and was a little surprised that they would use a font that was quickly becoming very common. It was featured on the cover of a Photoshop Magazine in December and I am sure that it has been seen elsewhere. While a type face might be great keep looking because if it is overused it isn't going to look good it is going to look cheap.

If you really want to be taken seriously take this next tip and apply it right now.

USE THE RIGHT TYPEFACE FOR THE RIGHT JOB.

I'll say it again. Choose your typeface clearly. When doing any composition, as some of you may know, death can certainly be in the details. The font definitely goes into this. When there is a bad use of a typeface and there are a lot of poorly used typefaces out there (http://vccgraphics.wordpress.com/2006/10/13/10-tragic-typefaces/) just resist temptation. KEEP LOOKING FOR THE RIGHT FONT!!! The key to any good composition is taking a holistic approach. You wouldn't mix bad colors would you? You wouldn't use boring compositions or elements would you? Well then don't flake out on your type. Don't do it!! If you do you may ruin your piece and end up with not only crappy type face but a crappy piece that will demean not only itself but you as an artist.

Want to learn more about typography? Check these out

For typography basics:
http://typies.blogspot.com/2006/11/15-tips-to-choose-good-text-type.html
http://ilovetypography.com/2008/02/28/a-guide-to-web-typography/

For professional type effects:
http://www.tutoriallounge.com/2009/08/25-astounding-typography-tutorials/
http://techpp.com/2009/03/10/22-stunning-typography-tutorials-photoshop-text-effects/