Comic Sans: Ugly, Overused, But Weirdly Useful
Comic Sans: The Font We Love to Hate (But Shouldn’t)
In Defense of Comic Sans: The Misunderstood Champion of Legibility
Let’s face it — Comic Sans has a reputation. If you’ve spent any time in the design world (or even just hanging out online), you’ve probably heard all the jokes. It’s the font that shows up on everything from bake sale flyers to passive-aggressive office notes. It’s become shorthand for bad design choices.
But here’s the thing — Comic Sans isn’t actually a bad font. In fact, it’s one of the more functional typefaces out there, especially for people with reading challenges like dyslexia.
A Font with a Purpose
Comic Sans was never meant to be a go-to font for corporate memos or wedding invitations. It was created in 1994 by Vincent Connare for a very specific purpose — to be used in a kid-friendly computer program called Microsoft Bob. The goal was to make the text feel approachable, casual, and easy to read, especially for young audiences.
It was designed to look like handwriting in comic books, where clarity matters more than beauty.
Why Dyslexia Advocates Appreciate Comic Sans
The very qualities that make designers cringe — its uneven shapes, quirky spacing, and lack of perfect symmetry — are actually what make it easier to read for some people with dyslexia.
Each letter is distinct, reducing the chances of confusing similar characters (like "b" and "d").
The informal style avoids the mirrored or overly geometric forms that can be challenging for dyslexic readers.
It’s casual and friendly, which can feel less intimidating than formal serif or sans-serif fonts.
It Was Never Meant for Everything — And That’s Okay
Comic Sans was designed for a very specific niche, and the chaos started when it escaped into the wild. It was easy to find, easy to use, and came pre-installed, which meant people who didn’t know much about fonts reached for it — a lot.
The result? You’ve seen it on "Keep Off the Grass" signs, PowerPoint presentations, legal notices, and places where it probably never belonged.
Function Over Fashion
If we take a step back and ignore the cultural baggage, Comic Sans is functional, which is more than can be said for some trendy fonts that are practically unreadable at small sizes. It serves its purpose — it’s approachable, clear, and friendly.
That doesn’t mean you should slap it on everything. But it does mean we shouldn’t dismiss it entirely, especially when it comes to accessibility and inclusive design.
The Takeaway
Comic Sans has been the punchline for decades, but it’s also a reminder that function should always come first in design. If a font helps someone read more easily — whether they’re dyslexic, visually impaired, or just a kid learning to read — then it’s doing its job.
So the next time you’re tempted to mock Comic Sans, remember: it’s not a bad font — just a misunderstood one.
