Did Gill Sans Fail?

[SurfPark]

An interesting article on the Typographica blog (http://typographi.com/001084.php):

Ben Archer argues that Gill failed (http://www.typotheque.com/articles/re-evaluation_of_gill_sans/):I contend that the majority of character shapes in Gill Sans are actually worse than in Johnston’s design of fifteen years previous. Gill Sans achieved its pre-eminence because of the mighty marketing clout of the Monotype Corporation and the self-serving iconoclasm of its author. Thus, rather than Johnston’s lettering, it was Gill Sans that became the English national style of the mid-century.

[PrintDriver]

It isn't the work you do, it's how you market it. :D
Case in point: Logoworks. LOL!
Apparently it's always been this way...

[SurfPark]

Oh I agree. Its like saying the winners of America Idol are the best singers in America. Its a total joke. At least Gill still has his namesake on the revised product. :)

[hewligan]

I dunno, I'd hardly say that Gill Sans is a failure. There's a very real difference between it and an American Idol winner - mostly, people who know about music don't think the products of American Idol are any good. On the other hand, as well as being popular, Gill Sans is a well respected typeface amongst people who know typography.

Maybe there are typefaces that deserve to be more successful than Gill Sans, but nonetheless, I'd say Gill Sans is popular for good reason.

[Crimson]

I like the gills sans family. Am I going to get beaten like if I loved Comic sans?

[hewligan]

Well, in our Futura vs Gill Sans poll (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23368), while Gill Sans did lose, it seems to have enough support for you to be safe from beatings.

[budafist]

I like gill sans, but I'm going off it because I overused it.

Just realised today that the designer I work with hates gill sans and loves arial.... :(

[hewligan]

I like gill sans, but I'm going off it because I overused it.

Just realised today that the designer I work with hates gill sans and loves arial.... :(

How could anyone love Arial? Accept, under certain circumstances that you may be forced to use it - perhaps, if you want to be weak-willed about it. But actually like?

I think they need to be sent off on remedial typeface appreciation class. I'm sick of the sight of Gill Sans, since it's the typeface called for in the brand manual of the organisation I work for, but I'd still choose it over Arial any day of the week.

[jessicam]

The company that I work for at once point switched all of our packaging and print design to Arial because it was too much work to deal with Gill Sans fonts issues between Mac and PC.

Then, months later, we switched it all back.

I really hate Gill Sans after staring at it for 3 years, but it definitely beats Arial.

[budafist]

A self taught, freelancing for the last 5 years designer might love Arial. No creative people to to tell you otherwise!

That's why freelancers need forums or other things to get some perspective on the design world. IMO...

[jamodu]

...if I loved Comic sans?


Don't swear like that ;)

[CatintheHat1]

Do you suppose Crimson is just drunk, or something?? I mean, to come on here talking like that...Comic Sans?? Did anyone notify the mods? ;)

[Crimson]

Wait- I don't love Comic Sans. I have a deep appreciation for Gills Sans and like the font. Heck it's on my resume and everything. Gills Sans that is.

Although Comic sans on my resume might get me that job as a garbage man I have always wanted. . . hmmmm

Aha- Here ia good time when to use Comic sans in a design. Probably you guys are thinking that is impossible but I have got you. When making a sign for a doctor's Office. It maKes people SICK when they come for a visit. Thus comic sans now has a place in the world.