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The choices we make nowadays can tell people lots about us. Everything from what you watch on Netflix to what kind of pizza you like to what you drink gives those around you a clue into your psyche, and that includes what font you chose to use at work. In my professional life, a lot of my time is spent reading emails and documents, so I’ve given a lot of thought as to what the font people use says about them. So I’ve come up with a completely unscientific assessment of what the font you use at work says about you.
Comic Sans
If you actually use Comic Sans in any kind of work related document, I automatically assume one of two things about you: A.) you are over the age of 60 trying to look cool, or B.) you’re drunk. The only time it is actually acceptable to use Comic Sans is if both A and B are true. (Mom, I hope you’re reading this.)
Helvetica
I was on the date the other night and the guy told me how a friend of his actually got the word “Helvetica” tattooed on his back in a different font. I know Helvetica is supposedly like the Switzerland of fonts – the one that the most people find least offensive, but the assholes that find that joke funny enough to permanently imprint it on their body? These are the people that use Helvetica.
Times New Roman
All of my papers for grad school have to be written in 12 point Times New Roman font, and it hurts. Lord knows writing papers is boring enough, but to have to write them in the most old-school, traditional font? That’s painful. Anyone that uses Times New Roman voluntarily is as boring as this font is – this is a person who only enjoys missionary, irons their boxer shorts, and has a highly organized sock drawer.
Arial
Times New Roman’s slightly less boring cousin, it’s the one that’s used when people don’t want to seem as unexciting as TNR but can’t commit to any sexier font. Arial sort of reminds me of guy I went out with a while back – he was nice enough, but he just didn’t do anything for me. Since I didn’t have a good reason to dump him, I just dated him until something better came along.
Edwardian Script
It’s less about the font and more about the name – you just like anything that sounds fancy. You always order the grande latte at Starbucks, you are fully committed to the French manicure, and all of your clothing – down to your socks – is designer. Despite its swanky-sounding masculine name, this font sort of looks like my nana’s handwriting, so she’s all I picture when I see it.
Verdana
Historical fact: Verdana was the chosen font of MySpace. Therefore, people that are still using Verdana are probably still stuck in 2008 listening to Danity Kane. That being said, the only Verdana that I want in my life is one that moves the “D” after the “N” so I can sit on it with an umbrella drink in my hand.
Gigi
Oh, so you’re kind of easy, huh? Because that’s the perception that Gigi and her slightly older, sluttier sister Curlz give off. And while that’s a totally appropriate vibe to give off in an e-card or a sorority newsletter, it’s not really suitable for the workplace, unless you’re gunning for the title of Office Tramp.
Courier New
Listen up, you faux hipster you. No one is fooled into thinking you are using this typewriter-esque font ironically as a nod to a time when there were real writers as opposed to anyone with a blog calling themselves one. Instead, the ironic part is that I found your blog from 2012 in which you waxed poetic about Sperrys and croakies. Who’s the phony now? .
Image via Unsplash
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Jenna Crowley
Jenna used to be known as 2NOTBrokeGirls, but then one of the girls actually went broke, so she's struck out on her own. Jenna spends her free time saving the world, one sorority girl at a time (usually while wearing yoga pants), questioning why she decided to get a doctorate, documenting her love of all things cheese related, and hosting the new PGP podcast Don't Take It From Us. You can ask her anything you want about football, using your boobs to get what you want, and pizza at @JennaLCrowley on Twitter or via email at JennaLCrowley@gmail.com.
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Calibri (Body) for Outlook and Times New Roman for word, simply because they are both default and I’m just too apathetic to care.
Times New Roman is a tradition unlike any other.
I just use the default in a desperate attempt to not look like I’m trying too hard.
Sometimes I’ll use the default but adjust the letter spacing so I can stand out just enough
Kendra uses Courier New.
Courier new for anything with a minimum page number, you can easily add a page or two by switching to courier new
I want a Times New Roman in the street but a Wingdings in the sheets.
I would want to kill anybody that sent me an email or document in Edwardian Script.
I don’t care if you think about your nana, I’m not reading that.
Georgia
Came here to say this. Georgia is scientifically proven to be one of the most pleasant fonts for those reading it, and it’s easily viewed on every platform – mobile, PC, print, etc.
A slightly more “professional” alternative to Georgia is Baskerville. Many non-fiction publishers choose Baskerville as the way of presenting their text because it’s not as formal as Times New Roman, but contains the right amount of serifs to keep it serious.
Book Antiqua FTW
Arial was a rip-off of Helvetica… do you know anything?
Go watch the movie Helvetica. It will change your appreciation for fonts.
Helvetica doesn’t even come up as an option for me anymore.