I learned just now that there’s a decade long movement to ban the typeface font Comic Sans. The fuss about the font started in 1999 when a typography and graphic design student Holly Sliger was designing a museum guide for children. Her boss insisted on using the Comic Sans font despite her suggestions of better and appropriate typefaces. According to her, “It was like hell for me. It was everywhere, like an epidemic.” She met a graphic designer and future husband, Dave Combs, who also shared the same sentiments.

Their campaign started out with T-shirts and coffee mugs and later on set up the website bancomicsans.com. Visitors who agree with the cause can download and print flyers for distribution in their communities. Stickers are applied to wherever the font is used.

Many typographers say that typefaces convey a meaning. In comic sans case, it’s cute, funny, childish and natural. Yet on the other hand, it can also suggest immaturity and carelessness.

I think, the issue here is how careless people can be in using the font. You can find it in just about anywhere. Most people do not actually consider the message that the font delivers as long as it looks cute and stylish.

Banning it from usage is a long shot. As long as it’s part of the Microsoft font list, it will continue to be popular among users. Education and awareness will help people understand how to use it properly. As a one subscriber of Lifehacker put it, “Don’t blame the font, blame the user.”

What’s your take on this one?