I'm sure others have and are putting together lists.

I'm always suspect of such lists because the "iffy" criteria for ones that make the list.

A good starting point is Paul Shaw's Top 100 Types of All Time?

---------------------------------------------
Yes, I'm old..... yada yada yada!

i read a turn of the century (19th to 20th) text once that was an analysis of highest degree of type readability. news gothic was the winner. possibly a sign of the times, straying away from the classic serifs for a more modern selection.

i'm sure our era's choices would be different, too, reflecting today's trends.

thanks for the link to shaw's list- it's interesting.

-w-

We could compile our own lists and bicker endlessley about the merits of our selections?!

I shudder to think of that.
Even if you tried to compile an objective list of the most widely used typefaces, or the best selling typeface, you would still produce nothing of value to designers or typographers (although that might give you a list of what to avoid if you wanted a "unique look").

We could never "compile" a list based on the merits or quality of designs for the very reason you mentioned.

As for personal taste or preference, you really can't argue about what someone "likes." I like vanilla, you like chocolate, but today we'll both try strawberry. You can say, "Jane has good taste, and Bob has bad taste," which again amounts to almost nothing of value.

Personally, I really have an affection for Goudy Sans (with original alternates). I've only used it twice, in fact, I don't think I actually want to use it. I just love the shapes, the rhythm and modulating color it creates on the page. But I don't find it a very useful typeface. It's like Arrighi's forms in the Operina, beautiful but basically unusable.

--------------------------------------------
Yes, I'm old, but I'm back in style!

Norbert,

Thanks for making me aware of Goudy Sans. I had no idea he had even done a sans. Quite beautiful.

although it may not really be useful, it would be interesting to see a list of faces that typophile users deem to be "essential." i wonder if we could ever even come to some kind of consensus on even a handful of faces. however, i personally think that more than specific faces, it's important to represent different categories in any collection: a geometric sans family, a serif text family, some good display faces, a beautiful formal script, something informal. i guess it's kind of the difference between saying everyone needs a pair of levi's 501 jeans and everyone needs a pair of denim pants. and even then, some of us can live without sweat pants.

From the foundry to the fire:
Helvetica Neue is the font I have used the most for many years…
peace

however, i personally think that more than specific faces, it’s important to represent different categories in any collection -- paul d hunt

To me that makes more sense than just a list of the "best" or "top 100" designs of all times.

For what use? I mean lists of fonts are just lists of fonts until you have a goal in mind, like building a city, writing a book, selling soap, or trying to do them all without contact with the outside world...Type ain't just for liking, its about communicating, well.

Time for a repeat of John Hudson's "Borgesian" list, perhaps?
(Sorry, the "search" function doesn't work, so i can't provide a link.)

That's very true, David.
But at some point, some guidance on the "practical" use of newer designs might inspire novice graphic designers to break away from dusty old standards.

Another thread Contemporary typeface 'equivalents' has been started by a designer who is looking for our suggestions. Maybe the way to offer type suggestions is post a new category of topics here at Typohile. Enough designers seem to visit the site (at this moment of post: 29 members 822 guests). Maybe that would help to increase active participation.

That way there would be no stagnant or "official" list of typeface suggestions, but simply typographers/type designers making graphic designers aware of new developments. We could still bicker back and forth on suggestions.

Anyhow... I'm off to kayak down the Kenebec River in Maine.

Will, the essential typefaces for someone starting a studio are usually the ones you've already heard of. A lot of work can come from clients with established styles/fonts and they'll expect you to match them. The essentials for us as a group? Heh. You'd never get agreement on 5 of them, let alone 100. I think we all have a handful that we use regularly when there are no constraints other than our own preferences. There are certainly other (and arguably better) versions of some of these fonts, but they continually come up in my life.

These are not my favorites, just ones that I've had a need of/use for repeatedly.

Adobe Garamond
Futura
Helvetica (all variations)
Gill Sans
Mrs. Eaves
Meta
Times New Roman/Times
The web fonts (Verdana, Georgia, etc.)
Univers
Frutiger
Minion
Trade Gothic
Franklin Gothic
Bell Gothic
Unibody
Rotis (well, I've seen it all over, but haven't had to use it)
Adobe Caslon
Trajan

However, a lot of this list is determined by generational trends, design fads, etc. Also, notice the lack of script faces. I could make it longer, but I honestly don't have the time. The majority of my work is given to me, rather than chosen by me. When I have control, other fonts I've chosen in the past few years are:

FF Scala & Scala Sans
FF Absara
Melior
Adobe Jenson Pro
Filosofia
Citizen
Mantinia
Whitman
Dalliance

I'm not sure they'd make many people's 'essentials' list, but they worked very well for what I used them for. I often avoid 'typical' fonts, unless it's the best solution.

I guess my overall point is that a consensus would be impossible, mainly because our love of a font doesn't make it essential or even particularly useful. It's the equivalent of asking what color t-shirt is most essential; maybe useful individually, but completely subjective generally.

Here's the thread with the "Borgesian" list Nick mentioned.

Thanks Craig, how did you find that?

from google, put something like this in the search box:
"search term site:typophile.com"

also: http://typophile.com/node/12436

http://typophile.com/node/12436

comic sans and the upcoming comic serif pro

"comic sans and the upcoming comic serif pro"

LOL!!!

ChrisL

i definitely know what you guys mean when you say that "essential" is subjective. use what the project calls for. absolutely.

and i'm sure comic serif pro (old style, no less) would suit nearly any project! in thinking about this thread, i realized that the classic serifs and the traditional sans families would likely make up most of an "essentials" list. everyone would have the caslon, the futura, etc.

however, as far as newer, say, display typefaces, i think that there would be a lot of disparity from user to user. out of sheer curiosity and an everpressing desire to load up with a fresh variety of typefaces, i'd like to ask-

what are some of your favorite DISPLAY faces?

i'd love to see if there are any good suggestions- such as the goudy sans and it's comparitive- that i'm unaware of...

thanks everybody!

-will-

i’d love to see if there are any good suggestions- such as the goudy sans and it’s comparitive- that i’m unaware of…

In the case (or defense) of Goudy Sans, I don't think the face ever made it's way into "mainstream" use, and therefore still a viable alternative for display settings.

----------------------------------------------
Yes, I'm old, and love serifless Goudy!

The medium italic Goudy Sans is really quite elegant looking to me.

I don't know why, but it seems as if i always go to a handful of emigres:

Filisofia
Mrs. Eaves
Brothers
Dalliance
Vendetta
Tribute

Sometimes I feel like I should really get out of this "comfort zone".

But I love them.

okay, so just for experiment's sake, i make a wiki entry for essential typefaces. The rules are outlined there. Anyone who's registered and wants to play is more than welcome to join in. One thing i was debating was, instead of having people cast anonymous votes, having them place their initials next to faces they felt essential. That way it might be interesting to compile a list of faces that Tiffany Wardle, John Hudson, Nick Shinn, Hrant Papazian or any other # of typophiles feel is essential. Anyhow, as i said, just an interesting experiment... lemme know what you think.

oh, and another thing... would it be helpful to have some very broad categories? I'm thinking Serif, Sans and then maybe Displaly and/or Other? Gimme some feedback people.

How about more categories with more specific purposes: Book Text, Magazine Text, Display Sans, Display Serif, Fine Print, Architectural Signage, General Purpose....

If I were going to recommend a set of typefaces for a designer just starting out, I'd have a very basic, short list of workhorses from several categories. If this is the kind of list you mean, I'll add some.

You could wait to see what faces get put on the list to decide how to group them.

makes sense to me, carl. would you add some that you think would be more helpful?

Carl just gave me an idea: instead of having categories to confine stuff to, have submitters (and subsequent editors) append a category, descriptions, links, laudations, whatever, after each entry. A veritable annotated BESTiary!

hhp

hrant, instead of adding all that info to this one page, wiki pages can be created for individual typefaces to house much of this information. See Mrs Eaves or FF Legato for examaples. For this page, let's try to keep the accumulated info to 1) number of votes, 2) optimal usage & 3) voter's initials (optional).

Sounds good.

hhp

Essential colors... essential sounds... essential flavors? Silly, all very silly.

heh. i'm afraid i tend to agree with you, james. but i'm trying to humor those who have repeatedly asked for this type of thing and trying an experiment. mainly what i'm sure what we'll end up with is a list of typophile favorite faces. but that in and of itself would be rather an interesting thing to see, doncha think?

"what should I wear?"
Well, where are you going and what are you going to do? Otherwise, just pack everything or wear everything, or wear nothing, wait 'till you get there and buy what you need. But don't ask me stupid questions, (my love). :)

I think if you were talking about the essential flavors of Northern Thai cooking you could begin to put a list together of the appropriate ingredients to allow you to capture those flavors.

If you were talking about the essential typefaces needed to capture a look and feel of a particular time and place, well that'll work too.

But just essential typefaces?

Also, I think that list by Paul Shaw is pretty much worthless. Remember, Paul primarily teaches, so he views type as a teacher and historial. If Paul did more client work, I think his list would probably be different.

A new designer asking the very question, "What typefaces should I have to get started?" might like to know our opinions. That's why I confined my submissions to faces that have broad general usefulness or durable use in a certain area. 'Desert Island Type' is a tired idea since it discounts all the end users and is vain. 'How many fonts can you get' doesn't answer anyone's questions. This list could be useful to anyone wishing to know some good first steps outside of the System Fonts bubble. One thing that might enhance it is a longer entry explaining the font's merits; or why the font is "essential" for that particular use.

> Well, where are you going and what are you going to do?

Which is why the bracketed info is my favorite part of that wiki.

hhp

One thing that might enhance it is a longer entry explaining the font’s merits; or why the font is “essential” for that particular use.
also info for separate wiki entries...

if you don't like thinking of them as "essential" faces, how bout "workhorse" fonts. Is that terminology more to your liking?

Wait, "workhorse" means something specific to me [at least], and my submissions might change accordingly. What about just "good" or something? Noting that 90% of anything is crap.

hhp

if you're having trouble accessing the wiki entry, as i am under this profile, you should be able to access this entry by following this link: http://typophile.com/wiki/essential_typefaces

(yes, i have two profiles. i am a gemini after all!)

Gents,

I give you GOUDY SANS BOLD ITAL, courtesy of Tostito's and Frito Lay.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/39436506@N00/42034680/

Ummmmm... tasty!
Dunkin Donuts is also using Goudy Sans Bold Italic for promotional counter signs... sorry, no examples online.

Seems like it's the current snack font.