Why does Poppins have an irresistible charm on designers?
Have you noticed Poppins popping up in every other app that you came across these days? It’s like this font has taken over with a vengeance, infiltrating websites, marketing materials, and apps like an unstoppable force.
Let’s delve into the history of Poppins font. Released on Google in 2014 by Indian Type Foundry (ITF) and Jonny Pinhorn, This “wannabe Futura” font made its mark! It currently dominates a staggering 9,200,000 websites loaded through Google APIs alone. Trust me, that’s just the tip of the iceberg when you consider the plethora of apps, websites, and creative masterpieces out there.
Even my current workplace has fallen head over heels for Poppins. My boss has an intense love for the font. Even when our team is designing something unrelated to our brand; the design won’t receive his stamp of approval unless Poppins graces the canvas.
Now, don’t get me wrong, Poppins does have its merits. It’s balanced, readable, and adds a neat touch to apps and websites. Plus, it’s free! Who doesn’t love a good freebie? But we can all agree that overuse can drain the charm right out of anything. Remember that feeling in GTA Vice City when you finally scored that rare Infernus, only to have the streets flooded with the same car? Frustrating, right?
But let’s not put all the blame on Poppins alone. Fonts like Montserrat, Circular, Futura, and Helvetica have all fallen victim to the overuse syndrome. Fortunately, designers are gradually transitioning towards more modern options with added flair. With the rise of neo-brutalism design trends, our eyes may soon have fresh fonts to feast upon, offering respite from the never-ending parade of Poppins and its companions.
So, fellow design enthusiasts, what do you think? Am I the only one who feels this way about the Poppins invasion? Or do you find yourself pondering the same predicament? Anyway, let’s break free from the Poppins epidemic, explore other fonts, and create remarkable visual experiences.
