synistersel:

So how do you guys feel about using different fonts for different characters in comics? I mean, I can see the appeal! It can be fun to individualize the font to each character: some get a slightly silly one, some get a fast scribbly one, etc.; like seeing a character’s handwriting! At the same time, I can see how it’d get annoying fast, seeing a million fonts on the page all at once.

What do you guys think?

I tend to find it distracting. Plus, do you need to? You shouldn’t. The art should be conveying tone where syntax isn’t. Having different fonts for all characters is kinda like purple prose - yeah, if you can work it, do it, but most likely you”re gonna leave people scratching their heads and wondering what you were thinking. That doesn’t mean don’t try! But, the question was how I felt about it, and the answer is “pretty frowny”.

1. plaidfluff answered: In my “Unity” comics I’ve used fonts to indicate different accents, and colors to indicate languages. It wasn’t a good idea.
2. spacekayce likes this
3. spacekayce answered: I personally think it can just get annoying. I can see why it would SEEM like a good idea but in practice is best saved for special reasons.
4. andworldbuildingtoo reblogged this from synicalsel and added:

   Personally, i use different font for all main characters and some times even for extras if i feel very generous. Though,...

5. andworldbuildingtoo likes this
6. andworldbuildingtoo answered: I use different fonts for all main characters and even for extras if i feel generuous. Though, i prefer not to use too fancy fonts.
7. rassafraggin likes this
8. zekedms answered: There are always exceptions, but normally it’s…yeah. Unless you’re Deadpool or The Devil in Dinosaur Comics, no special fonts for you.
9. docvalentine answered: i agree in a general sense, i think a different font should only be used if someones voice is really weird, like for inhuman characters
10. rubymight likes this
11. yevgenyvolgin likes this
12. spiral-shark reblogged this from heysawbones and added:

    Yeah I understand the appeal but only think it should be used for figures whose very speech is abnormal. Common comic...

13. polks likes this
14. alliartist answered: I like to use different texts if the word or phrase is said in a different way. Like a flowery text for a cutesy phrase, or thin for anger.
15. spiral-shark likes this
16. summoningdark answered: It’s entirely distracting. Characterization should happen through the dialogue, not the font.
17. miss-merboy likes this
18. awondersmith likes this
19. heysawbones reblogged this from synicalsel and added:

    I tend to find it distracting. Plus, do you need to? You shouldn’t. The art should be conveying tone where syntax isn’t....

20. kayzig reblogged this from synicalsel and added:

    I used to want to try to do this with Boss Monster! I have done it before with a few other comic projects, as well. If...

21. synicalsel likes this
22. despicableplankton reblogged this from synicalsel and added:

    I know I already replied, but one more thing I thought of: It would be distracting. People are supposed to tune out the...

23. despicableplankton answered: Trust me on this: It is a pain in the ass to have to change the font every other word-bubble.
24. synicalsel posted this