Favorite humanistic fonts for product and information graphics

Helvetica is almost the default typeface that spears in many products of information design, such as control panels on products and directional sign in public place. Its popularity was documented by Gary Hustwit’s 2007 film “Helvetica”. However, while Helvetica can be said as the most widely adopted san serif typeface, there is a trend for over 20 years toward applying more humanistic sans serif typefaces in information graphics.

The main reason why they are called humanistic typefaces I think is because their creators intend to infuse the calligraphic details in typeface design. In doing so, with some variation in line width, the typefaces become more legible than other sans serif fonts. When being called humanistic, they also appeal to people’s cultural side and associate themselves with fonts from various historic periods. This is a sharp contrast against typical san serif fonts such as Helvetica, which seems very strict, rigid and mechanical.

Among those humanistic sans-serif fonts, FF Meta is a notable font designed by the influential German typeface designer Eric Spiekermann. He also co-authored a book, Stop Stealing the Sheep, in 1993, an interesting read that introduces readers to find the right fonts that properly express ideas, emotions and so on. Because you need to pay font sellers such as Myfont.com to get FF Meta, I have found Colaborate font as an alternative for free online and use it often in my designs that involves with informational display. I discovered that Colaborate is equally good and very elegant as well. So you may consider using Colaborate Thin to create that eloquent effect next time when you think of being chic and neat. So far I have used the free version of Colaborate and have not experienced with any virus, and you may download the free fonts Colaborate here but use your own discretion. 

Incidentally I learned lately that as Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum reopened its door to public this year, it has commissioned a new custom-designed typeface by Chester Jenkins. It used the new font to rebrand itself in logo, prints and webs. And it is also free to download. I just downloaded and installed it on my computer. The font package includes all types of line width from heavy, bold, book, light, to thin and in many ways the variations of the font are very similar to Colaborate. Therefore I will try my hand on it next time for upcoming information design or presentation.