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I tried pairing Helvetica with a script font for a cafe menu and it felt so flat...
Switched to a bold slab serif with that same script and the whole thing just popped. The slab had enough weight to stand up to the fancy writing, while Helvetica just looked weak next to it. This was for a local spot called The Daily Grind, and the owner said the new menu 'finally looks like us.' Has anyone else found that Helvetica can get lost when you pair it with something decorative?
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simon_chen1mo ago
Wait you used Helvetica for a cafe menu? That's like the default font for every corporate manual ever. No wonder it felt flat, it has zero personality for a local spot. A bold slab serif makes total sense, it's got that sturdy, grounded feel that can actually balance out a fancy script. Helvetica just gets steamrolled by anything with real character.
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haydensanchez1mo ago
What's your go-to slab serif then?
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Helvetica can have plenty of personality depending on how you use it. It's not just for corporate stuff, it works great for a clean, modern cafe look too. The issue might have been the weight you picked, a heavier Helvetica could have held its own. Sometimes a script just needs a really simple partner to shine without fighting it.
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