Comic Sans, The World's Most Controversial Font

It was designed to be friendly and accessible, yet it became a global punchline. This is the story of Comic Sans—a tale of design, context, and controversy. See the font for yourself.

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A Controversial Beginning

Comic Sans wasn’t born in a high-end design studio. It was created in 1994 by Vincent Connare at Microsoft for an unreleased software project called Microsoft Bob, which featured a cartoon dog guide. The dog’s speech bubbles used Times New Roman, which Connare found far too formal. He drew inspiration from comic books like ‘The Dark Knight Returns’ to create a more fitting, casual typeface. Explore its journey below.

Timelime

In the beginning

1994: Creation for Microsoft Bob

Vincent Connare designs Comic Sans to replace Times New Roman in the speech bubbles of a cartoon guide in Microsoft's user-friendly interface project, Microsoft Bob.

1995: Windows 95 Release

Though too late for Microsoft Bob, Comic Sans is included as a system font in the Windows 95 Plus! Pack. It's later bundled with Internet Explorer and becomes ubiquitous.

1999: The Backlash Begins

Two Indianapolis graphic designers, Dave and Holly Combs, create the 'Ban Comic Sans' movement. Their website becomes a rallying point for designers frustrated by the font's misuse in professional settings.

2011: A Moment of Gravity

CERN's presentation announcing the potential discovery of the Higgs Boson particle famously uses Comic Sans in its slides, sparking a massive online debate about font appropriateness.

In Defense of the Infamous

Despite the criticism, Comic Sans became popular for a reason. Its friendly, unpretentious, and highly legible design made it a go-to for informal communications. More importantly, studies and anecdotal evidence suggest it's one of the most accessible fonts for people with dyslexia due to its uniquely shaped, non-mirrored letters.

Widespread availability

Comic Sans was introduced in 1994 by Microsoft and was included in the Windows 95 Plus! Pack, making it easily accessible to millions of new computer users.

Informal Tone

For party invitations, flyers for a bake sale, or a casual note to colleagues, Comic Sans effectively conveys a lighthearted, non-corporate tone. It feels human and approachable.

Educational Use

A 2020 poll by TES revealed that 44% of sampled teachers used Comic Sans for their teaching materials. Its design, which mimics handwriting and features distinct letterforms, makes it highly legible for young students and those with dyslexia.