This document provides five things to consider when selecting a font for a project: (1) use acclaimed fonts that are considered among the best historically or have design awards; (2) avoid overused default fonts; (3) avoid fonts on lists of fonts to avoid as they are considered "cheesy" or inappropriate; (4) check if professionals in the design field actually use the font for similar projects; and (5) ensure the font is readable for its intended use such as body text. The goal is to select a font that is appropriate for the context and project.

1. Is this a good font?
Five simple things to consider
when selecting a typeface
Alexei Kapterev

2. The world is full of bad signs, posters, resumes, and, yes,
presentations. Part of the problem are the fonts people use.
Professional signs in Brush Script? What is it, the 1950’s?!
Here are five things to consider when selecting a font.

3. Is the typeface on the “100 best Typefaces of all times” list?
Or maybe on another “The best of something” list? Did it won
any design awards? Does it have a Wikipedia page?
Avenir
Charter
DIN
Futura
Big Caslon
Gill Sans
Georgia
Helvetica
PT Sans
1. Acclaimed fonts are safer
Definitely good fonts
Web Search: *fontname* awards | Wikipedia: *fontname*

4. 2. Avoid overused fonts
Might it be the case that there’s too much of this font already?
Is this a default typeface in a popular software suite?
Yes, some fonts are both iconic and overused.
Calibri
Times
Arial
Helvetica
Myriad
Segoe Script
Definitely overused Kinda overused
Web Search: *fontname* + overuse

5. Bad Somewhat problematic fonts
3. Avoid most hated fonts
Is the typeface on some “Never use those fonts” list?
Or maybe it’s one of those “10 cheesy fonts to avoid”?
If it’s on more than one of those lists — exercise caution.
Comic Sans
Bradley hand
Impact
Monotype Corsiva
Papyrus
Party LET
Web Search: *fontname* avoid

6. 4. Is it used by the pros?
Check the FontsInUse.com website, it’s a great collection
of typographic design. Is the typeface even there? What do
the experts say?
Comic Sans
13 results including 2 staff
picks and 1 blog post
9 results, mostly ironic
Probably a decent typeface Use with caution
FontsInUse: *fontname*

7. Quirky, hard to read fonts are ok for headers and logos,
but not for the main body text.
Rockwell
Very distinctive
but poor readability
Decent readability,
interesting look
Lucida Sans
Excellent readability
but slightly boring
5. Is it hard to read?
Web Search: *fontname* hard to read

8. And, finally…
Most “bad” typefaces aren’t really bad.
They’re just inappropriate for the context.
Even a Brush Script sign might look good.
But, alas, that’s another story.
Smith Jones
FUNERAL DIRECTORS
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9. +7 495 764 1898
www.kapterev.com
alexei@kapterev.com
Presentation skills
ALEXEI KAPTEREV