A catalog of my evolving typography likes through time. I didn’t include all of the crappy display fonts I liked in college because it’s just way too embarrassing.
For a full size image click here.
A catalog of my evolving typography likes through time. I didn’t include all of the crappy display fonts I liked in college because it’s just way too embarrassing.
For a full size image click here.
Erik Wallace says:
B U S T E D.
I admit to being heavy handed with Futura in my graphic design classes. I also used an inappropriate amount of Mrs. Eaves.
Posted February 5, 2010
Erik Kraft says:
I thought I was pretty sophisticated when I started setting my high school papers in the bastardized version of Garamond that comes with Windows. It was in many ways a simpler time for me, when I thought it was OK to ever use Microsoft Garamond.
Posted February 5, 2010
Maren Ingles says:
I totally hear you! I am still ashamed that my coworkers when I was a student designer for an on campus design office called the font randumhouse “Marenhouse” because I used it so much. Oh, the horror!
Posted February 5, 2010
nicole says:
It’s sadly frightening how accurate this is.
Posted February 5, 2010
LL says:
What, no Joker?
Posted February 5, 2010
Wendy says:
I love this. It is really funny.
Posted February 5, 2010
Jessica says:
There really should be a third column for display typefaces but the list is just way too long. I think I used Rosewood on like 4 projects in college.
Posted February 5, 2010
davor says:
Papyrus = “OMG read my Roswell fanfic!”
Posted February 5, 2010
Jessica says:
for me Papyrus was “this will work perfect with my “The Fertile Triangle” diorama
Posted February 5, 2010
Ceci says:
LOL. At least you didn’t go through a Comic Sans phase!
Posted February 5, 2010
Oggy says:
Haha. Scarily accurate! But replace Curlz with Comic Sans, and Papyrus was used for my essay on the ancient Egyptians. I’m not really sure what my current font obsession is at the moment. I’m liking Neutra, and I still like Arial actually! Although Rockwell and Museo must be in there somewhere. Sorry, I’m rambling. Great image.
Posted February 5, 2010
owizard says:
I love the rationale behind the type tastes…I’d love to see descriptions on Archer and Gotham … I wonder where this is headed!
Posted February 5, 2010
Allison says:
Loved this when I saw it on Twitter earlier. I still love Garamond, I can’t get away from it.
We were saved from mistakes in college because in most of our beginning designn classes we were only allowed to use 10 typefaces. Then after those courses, all hell broke lose for some of us! 
Posted February 5, 2010
Brenda says:
Love it
Posted February 5, 2010
Torley says:
It had to be said and done, and I’m so happy you fulfilled it.
Posted February 5, 2010
Claudine says:
Sadly, I had a Comic Sans phase back in 4th grade. But I quickly grew out of it. This is a great idea, btw.
Posted February 5, 2010
Andrew Keir says:
“I can’t believe you use Times New Roman on your papers. So ‘default’ of you”
lol, so true.
Posted February 6, 2010
ralph says:
i am still using:
courier new (mostly for highlighting something)
futura
helvetica
i like san serif better than serif (courier new i file under “other”)
Posted February 6, 2010
Hans says:
This looks so familiar to my progression through typefaces, especially the sans serif part. I really loved Futura then Gill Sans, or was that the other way around. Should have a look through my archives. Then there was the Erik Spiekermann Meta typeface which took over 1997 to 1998. Aaah memories, sweet.
Posted February 6, 2010
Mina says:
HAHA Avenir is so spot on.
Posted February 6, 2010
eliza says:
just before checking your blog today, my boyfriend and i watched http://www.helveticafilm.com/
what a funny coincidence!
greetings form germany-
eliza&moritz
Posted February 6, 2010
Esz says:
Love it!! I am still very much enamoured with Neutraface. Its so clean.
Helvetica and Avenir I need for work (food packaging on flexible film so serifs are out except for 12pt+).
Garamond is still so classy and I love how many fonts it has – Just love small caps.
Thankfully I never went through a Comic Sans phase.
Great post
Posted February 7, 2010
ws89 says:
haha! i think i’m just the same, eexcept with a bodoni swooning fixation
Posted February 7, 2010
Alphonse says:
I set my blatant Lord of the Rings ripoff short story assignment in Papyrus and Impact. Designed that baby in Word, and did all the binding/cutting myself. It was like 50 double sided pages and a complete disaster.
Posted February 7, 2010
kendal croix says:
oh that is just too perfect.
Posted February 8, 2010
Erin says:
Too funny! Almost exactly the same path I followed! I just purchased Gotham & Archer last fall – does that mean I’m fully self-actualized as a designer?
Posted February 8, 2010
Phillip says:
Am I allowed to use Futura on school computers that don’t have Gotham?
Posted February 8, 2010
Mel says:
Not a design person by any means, but I admit I once used Courier for a university English course (Romantic Poetry & Prose) essay–and I was still short of the page minimum by a full page! =P
Posted February 9, 2010
evolution | jaiunblog.com | j'ai un blog - graphisme, design, programmation says:
[...] Je suis déjà au level gotham depuis 2007 ;¬) source : http://jessicahische.com/spendstoomuchtimeinternetting/?p=161 [...]
Posted February 9, 2010
No Excuse « the chronic-what?-cles of buffoonery says:
[...] As Jessica Hiche puts it: [...]
Posted February 9, 2010
BlamingAllSuckersHere » Jessicas Evolution of Type Taste says:
[...] [via] [...]
Posted February 9, 2010
molly says:
how crazy that so many designers had the same evolution of font love. i am one of them, although i’d just replace curlz with skia….
love your work, jessica!
— molly
Posted February 9, 2010
Image + Text=? « foto.book. says:
[...] serifs and sans serifs and how and when to use them. The evolution of taste chart below, created by Jessica Hische, is an excellent example of how we relate to type as we age (and hopefully become more [...]
Posted February 9, 2010
Kristina Walton says:
Funny because it’s true.
I’d mix in a bit of Myriad before the Helvetica, but otherwise pretty darn spot-on!
Posted February 9, 2010
RLW says:
I’m gazing across a generational divide into a place where everyone has been manipulating type styles since grade school.
Posted February 9, 2010
Evolution Of Type Taste - Pìcame – Lasciati Pìzzicare! says:
[...] Hische su Pìcame qualche settimana fa ma la giovane designer sforna idee a raffica! Ecco uno schema che riassume l’evoluzione del suo gusto in fatto di font dall’età scolastica fino ad [...]
Posted February 10, 2010
Blaz says:
Ahahahah, so real!
Everybody has something to hide….
Posted February 10, 2010
Virtuousquare says:
Really interesting project, but I would be affraid to do my own evolution of type.
Do you have any idea in which direction your evolution is going, in close futre, and not so close, a return on your first love ?
By the way, your website and blog, are great. Nice job.
Good continuation.
Posted February 11, 2010
don says:
Haha! So true. Take out Curlz and replace Neutraface with Nobel, and this is me…
Great post!
Posted February 11, 2010
My life story « Adherent of the repeated meme says:
[...] life story Opublikowany w wstydliwewyznania przez faceofboe w dniu 11/02/2010 [from] Otagowano [...]
Posted February 11, 2010
Tyson says:
It took me a long time to fall out of love with IMPACT. as a sign designer, it was just so…practical. I still find myself dialing its number sometimes, out of habit. I still think about it all the time. ; )
Posted February 11, 2010
Jordesign » My Evolution of Type Taste from Grade School to Present says:
[...] My Evolution of Type Taste from Grade School to Present. Well, not mine, Jess Hische’s – but well worth a look Links | 0 comments | [...]
Posted February 11, 2010
Auré says:
Hu hu hu !
Really funny and so realistic !
Posted February 12, 2010
John Lui says:
Sweet Curlz #1!!!!
check out my blog of found curlz
curlz.intheordinary.com
Posted February 13, 2010
Pascal says:
… I can totally see myself in this. Thanks, made me SMILE
Posted February 13, 2010
lindsey clare says:
love. this.
Posted February 15, 2010
siddharth jayaswal says:
so i was hoping that somebody would put something like this up. Been wanting this for too long. By the way did you know that mrs eaves by emigre is supposed to be baskervilles wife typeface. Check out Officiana if you have not already
Posted February 15, 2010
Mike Long says:
WTF Curlz!! HAHA, I’m so glad I skipped parts of this evolutionary process, but I’m so into this like gold chocolate. I used a lot of Franklin Gothic styles for zines in the ’90s.
Posted February 15, 2010
evie s. says:
Ha! So true. I used to think Papyrus was awesome when I was 13. I’m so glad I was one of those that learned better! Sadly, some are still left behind.
Posted February 15, 2010
Pretty Gritty says:
Oh geez!! I’ve always felt a deep dislike (dare I say cringe worthy hatred?!) for Papyrus.
“no excuse” just made my day! Thank you.
Posted February 17, 2010
ms says:
what about comic sans!?!?
Posted February 17, 2010
clara says:
so true. and so funny. I can totally relate to you! My favorite pre-college was Tempus Sans
Posted February 18, 2010
two brunettes says:
this is f**king hilarious. “Garamond” my teacher told me to stop using Baskerville” was my EXACT reason for using it. Genius.
Posted February 18, 2010
Dave Dawson says:
Great list! I’m in the midst of my Mrs. Eaves stage right now. I’m looking forward to getting to know Walbaum in the near future!
Posted February 18, 2010
Bradley Emmons says:
Sooo sad, but true. I’m embarassed – - If only I can find something for my identity that I can still love after two weeks!
Posted February 19, 2010
MissingDesign says:
Ha, I love it. A good way to articulate it. I think you had better taste than me in elementary school. I was (winces) unfortunately into Comic Sans. At least I grew out of it before 6th grade… And I never had the Arial stage, instead it was Bodoni, lol. Not very readable for essays…
At the moment I’m in the Mrs Eaves & Myriad stage.
Posted February 19, 2010
Bart Burz says:
Frutiger forever!
Posted February 24, 2010
Cameron says:
I ADORE Archer. If only I could afford it (or have a job that would justify its purchase)!
Posted February 24, 2010
Jim Dodds says:
Just discovered (because of the Olympics ads) GE Inspira: love it’s curviness in a sans serif
Posted February 24, 2010
Kate says:
Hahaha I love this.
I remember using Kristen ITC and Bradley Hand ITC pretty heavily when I was 10-11. I used Violation when I was 14 (for decoration only though) and I went through a pretty huge Print Clearly phase when I was 15 (I used it for my photography class at the time, haha). At the moment I use Georgia, although I don’t really like it very much, but I am not very savvy with typefaces. I can’t really get into sans-serif fonts though, but those ones look so pretty.
Posted February 25, 2010
Round-Up: XIII « Caffeinerd says:
[...] this Evolution of Type via Post Grad Hair [...]
Posted February 28, 2010
Sarah says:
Replace Gotham with Trade Gothic and that pretty much sums up my life. Oh and Curlz with Chiller. But dont tell any one
Posted March 1, 2010
Evolution of Type Taste « ARCHER ALERT says:
[...] Spot on! See the post on Jessica Hische’s blog. [...]
Posted March 2, 2010
Melanie says:
Love this, especially the little side-comments.
I’m somewhere around the Avenir/Neutraface era. To be honest, I’ve always been horribly opposed to Gill Sans for no particular reason. Okay, maybe it’s the terminals.
Posted March 3, 2010
Bre says:
This is FANTASTIC!!! I chuckled a little inside because if you change the BY: from you to me, it is EXACTLY my thoughts and font choices throughout my education. To funny. Thanks for creating. Best part: “I can’t believe you use Times New Roman, so ‘default’ of you.” HAHAHAHAHA That was totally me, always using Arial (until I learned NOT to use Arial for print from my teacher)
Posted March 3, 2010
Neeti says:
Right now, I am in love with Neutraface and Mrs. Eaves. These are one of my favorite fonts!
Posted March 3, 2010
Patricia says:
This is awesome! I love Mrs. Eaves… I used it in my wedding invitations last year.
Posted March 4, 2010
Arial Font is Bullshit | Photoshop-Weblog says:
[...] Typografie-Nerds mit Schriftarten beschäftigen können. Und wo wir gerade beim Thema sind: Jessica Hische hat einmal in einer schönen Übersicht die Evolution des Font-Geschmacks (also bei der [...]
Posted March 16, 2010
Photoshop-Week II (March) | Photoshop-Weblog says:
[...] Bullshit shows how much typography nerds can concern themselves with fonts. And speaking of fonts: Jessica Hische did a great job with her evolutionary diagram of font taste (taste as in sense of design, not the [...]
Posted March 17, 2010
Truly Smitten says:
HAHAH! So hilarious but I’m totally with you on the evolution our type taste!
Posted March 21, 2010
Naushin says:
Bwahahahaha! Hilarious! I would set my papers in Georgia to expand paper length.
Posted March 22, 2010
Screen Space: A blog & podcast about users, texts, and technology » Blog Archive » Type flow chart: What your type use says about you? says:
[...] you say. All these say something about you and how you try to present yourself to the world. This type flow chart (see below too) show’s one woman’s path the typeface identity, or at least evolution [...]
Posted April 6, 2010
noella says:
omg.. this is too funny and scarily accurate!! Pre-graphic design degree, I used to decorate all my paperwork with Curlz, Papyrus, Chiller and Snap ITC.. they used to be cool.. now I’m wiser and I know better hahaha!! I’m such a Caslon / Baskerville / and Helvetica now
Posted April 9, 2010
ally says:
Brilliant! But this has left me incredibly embarrassed…In my third year, thinking I know things…And Im still stuck with Gill Sans.
Posted May 7, 2010
Peter N. Trinh says:
The transition between Gill Sans and Helvetica made me laugh so hard! Brilliant!
Posted May 17, 2010
Sally says:
I love papyrus! I mostly love it for the business cards and website…. but love none the less!
Posted May 19, 2010
cristina says:
OH MY GOD!!!!! my process was 90% the same types wow……
Posted June 22, 2010
ghe says:
Posted June 28, 2010
Adrian says:
Gosh, this is so accurate
Posted August 16, 2010
Mike Watters says:
In my old age, I think I’m going back to Curlz. I just want to design teenage girl posters.
Posted August 18, 2010
Mark Cotter says:
Would love to be able to afford Avenir. The san serif list closely matches my preferred family of fonts (up to Avenir). As for serifs, I know I dislike Times New Roman but haven’t found a worthy replacement for it – apart from Courier which I have gone back to in recent times. Finally, as a teacher (of English), if a student hands in an essay in Comic Sans, I hand it back to them and refuse to mark it until it’s in a proper font.
Posted August 18, 2010
Mathias Burton says:
I feel I jsut read my own biography. Thank you for that
: )
Posted August 18, 2010
elaine says:
I actually laughed out loud a few times when I read this – my fave by far was the comment under Papyrus. Thanks
Posted August 26, 2010