Using modern fonts for your logo and brand identity is a great way to convey that your business is fresh, accessible, and competent. Whether you’re looking for serif, sans serif, or script fonts, there are a myriad of options to choose from. Thus, you can easily find the right fonts to match your brand’s unique personality and voice.
In this post, we’ll take a look at a curated collection of 20 beautiful fonts for modern logos and brand design in 2023.
What are modern fonts?
Before we dive in, let’s consider what it actually means for a font to be modern. Historically, the Modern font classification was created in the late 18th century. The very first modern typefaces were serif fonts with a vertical axis and high contrast between thick and thin strokes. A classic example of this type of font is Didot, which is still widely in use today.
At the turn of the century, there was a surge in the development of sans serif fonts that favored simplicity and function over form. This style of typography is likely what comes to mind for most people today when thinking of modern fonts: geometric shapes with clean lines. An example of a geometric sans serif font is Helvetica. This typeface is considered by many a “perfect” sans serif design and is practically worshipped by designers.
So far we’ve touched on modern serif and sans serif fonts – can other styles like script and display fit in this category as well? It depends. Generally speaking, modern typefaces are simple and legible. This is what makes them such a popular choice for logos and websites, where accessibility is imperative. Script and display fonts can be hard to read, but there are certainly some options that have a modern feel. We’ll take a look at some of those options below.
Top 20 modern fonts
In no particular order, here are 20 curated fonts for modern brands.
1. Larken
Larken is a smooth and expressive serif designed by Ellen Luff. It’s versatile and scalable, making it a great option for logos and long passages of text alike. If you want to use a typeface that’s both clean and playful, Larken is a beautiful option.
2. Reckless
Reckless is a beautiful and versatile serif created by Displaay. A perfect blend of classic and modern influences, Reckless can work well for any kind of contemporary, design-forward brand.
3. Argent
One of the first typefaces I ever bought when I started my design business is Argent, an elegant serif. To this day, it remains one of my favorites. Argent feels friendly, evocative, and timeless.
4. Proxima Nova
Proxima Nova is an immensely popular font, and it’s not hard to see why. It’s smooth, proportionate, and highly legible on the web. In fact, the very text you’re reading right now is written in Proxima Nova!
5. Sauvage
If Sauvage looks familiar, you may recognize it from the title treatment of HBO’s excellent detective series, Perry Mason. Designed by SG Type, Sauvage is smooth and stylized. It shines in applications such as logo designs, posters, and wedding stationery.
6. Integral CF
Looking to stand out and make an impression with bold typography? Integral CF could be the font you’re searching for. Large, bold fonts like this one are in, and it’s sure to grab your audience’s attention.
7. Canela
One of my favorite fonts of late is Canela, an elegant blend of serif and sans serif designed by Commercial Type. In its lighter weights, it feels refined and sophisticated; add some heaviness and it becomes more and more charismatic. All-in-all, Canela is a beautiful font for any modern brand.
8. Editorial New
Editorial New is a fashionable serif that instantly adds a premium feel to whatever context it’s used in. With nine weights to choose from, Editorial New is versatile enough to shine in a variety of use cases, from logos to magazines and everything in between. If you’re looking for a sophisticated, modern font, your search could just end here.
9. Marilyn Wilde
If you’re in search of a modern, legible script font, meet Marilyn Wilde. Designed by Mila Garret, this script feels friendly, romantic, and sweet. With good legibility for a handwritten font, it’s a great choice for logos, Instagram graphics, and wedding stationery.
10. Juana
Juana is a stylish serif and sans serif blend developed by Latinotype. With high contrast between thick and thin strokes, it has a lot of character that can be amplified or toned down by adjusting the weight. Overall, it’s a versatile and elegant typeface well suited for logos and branding.
11. Neue Haas Unica
Neue Haas Unica is a trending sans serif that’s similar to Helvetica. Available in 18 styles, this minimalist font is suitable for both large headings and small body copy. If you’re looking for a clean, modern font for your brand, you can’t go wrong with this one.
12. Sofia Pro
Sofia Pro is a bestselling geometric sans font family designed by Olivier Gourvat. Its distinctive feature is its rounded curves, which give it a friendly and contemporary look. Sofia Pro can work for any brand that’s aiming for an approachable and clean aesthetic.
13. MADE Mirage
MADE Mirage is an elegant serif font developed by MadeType. With a soft, feminine flair, this font is ideal for brands in the fashion, wedding, or lifestyle industries. It’s also well suited for stationery and editorial designs.
14. Vultura
Vultura is an edgy display font with high contrast. Unique and stylized, this modern font is ideal for logos and bold headlines.
15. Blackstone
For another modern script option, look no further than Blackstone. This stylish handwritten font is both casual and elegant. If you want to add a creative flair to your brand, incorporating a script like Blackstone is always an option worth considering.
16. Analogue
If you’re looking for a delicate, elegant, and stylish font for your logo, consider Analogue. This display font by Tropical Type is soft and inviting. I especially like the italic styles, which have almost a whimsical feel.
17. Futura
True to its name, Futura is a popular modern font with a futuristic feel. Designed in 1928, it’s still widely in use today. You may have spotted it on book covers, movie posters, or logos for all kinds of businesses. Despite its popularity, it’s worth considering in your search for a timeless, geometric sans serif.
18. ITC Garamond
ITC Garamond is a beautiful and timeless serif font family. It was first released in 1975 and has since been expanded into 16 styles, each with their own unique flair. Whichever style you choose for your logo or brand, it’s hard to go wrong.
19. Inter
Inter is the only font on this list that’s free for commercial use. Although it’s great for brands on a budget, don’t overlook it if you’re going for a premium look and feel. Inter is versatile and legible, making it a great option for clean, modern body copy on the web.
20. Commuters Sans
Commuter Sans is a wide, geometric sans serif that’s both fun and modern. Its proportionate letterforms are pleasing to the eye. With eight weights to play around with, it’s hard to go wrong with this versatile font.
How to use modern fonts for logos and brand design
Once you’ve selected your favorite fonts for your brand, you’re ready to start piecing together your logo and visual identity. If you have design experience, you should create your logos using a vector design software like Adobe Illustrator. Otherwise, your next step is likely to hire a brand designer.
To learn more about the logo and brand design process, check out the following articles:
- My complete brand design process: 7 key steps
- How many logo variations do you need?
- 9 branding elements every business needs
Get support
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