You’re probably aware of the anti-comic sans movement among designers and assorted type snobs (see ban comic sans). But while we’re hating on god-awful typefaces designed for Microsoft (notice a trend here?) let’s toss Trebuchet into the mix. Despite gaining popularity in the “aren’t I cheeky?” blog era of the web for its universal availablity (see: ubiquitous mediocrity), Trebuchet MS is contributing to dumbing down interactive type design.

Trebuchet MS

  • Trebuchet’s clumsy weights allow little room for elegance.
  • Its awkward, schizophrenic features (“g”, “l”, “&”, “$”, “?”) distract the eye’s natural rhythm and decrease readability.
  • Drastically inconsistent x-heights (“A” vs. “x”) establish jarring vertical agreements.
  • The ampersands (“&”) is a ligature of a bad “E” and a stumpy “t”. That’s just savage.
  • You can’t just throw in a half slab-serif whenever you feel like it (“i”, “j”). Were you raised in a barn?

While I’m all for experimentation and destinguishing yourself from the competition, this font has been abused in recent years. And while I may have been able to overlook its childish qualities in small doses, the time has come for someone to stand up against type that sucks. I simply can’t overlook it anymore. And I urge you to write your congressman and/or local web designer to reclaim our dignity and stop abusing this heinous face.