C*mic S*ns - Alternatives?

[Ben]

I feel dirty. Oh so dirty.

Been asked to produce some artwork... with comic sans. 

They don't want a normal serif/sans-serif typeface, as it has to be 'friendly, soft and almost handwritten-like' but quite readable.

 

I've tried the excuse of "oh, I don't have that font" but it's not working - so I've got to find alternative to try and disinfect the project 

[Chris H]

http://www.coffeecup.com/freestuff/fonts/

[Shirker]

I feel dirty. Oh so dirty.

Sounds like a really mucky remake of West Side Story, I'd buy it

(One for the older members)

[Jeep Stone]

Ardleys Hand - You can see it at http://www.hotpawsandtrogg.com on the left menu and headings

[Ben]

Ardleys Hand - You can see it at http://www.hotpawsandtrogg.com on the left menu and headings

That's quite nice - handwritten, but readable. Ta

[orydian]

Unless it's something you want to add to your portfolio, give them CS.

It may look dreadful to you, but the client couldn't give a fig. I always match the spec, no matter how ugly it appears. I've put together some absolute monstrosities in my time, but happy clients mean repeat business. I find trying to impose my professional opinion on those that have hired me as a paid monkey just costs time and ultimately money.

ory.
Design cynic.

[Ben]

Unless it's something you want to add to your portfolio, give them CS.

It may look dreadful to you, but the client couldn't give a fig. I always match the spec, no matter how ugly it appears. I've put together some absolute monstrosities in my time, but happy clients mean repeat business. I find trying to impose my professional opinion on those that have hired me as a paid monkey just costs time and ultimately money.

ory.
Design cynic.

Just caught your post Ory - sadly I'm beginning to think like this. Ended up with Comic Sans as that is what they wanted, and wouldn't shift. Just had a site a few weeks ago that wanted their logo to flash, spin or jump out constantly to "attract attention" - however they couldn't explain why it was so important on every page - they just wanted it.

Sigh. Grumble.

[samhs]

There's a good alternative that's the princely sum of $0:

http://new.myfonts.com/fonts/hvdfonts/hvd-comic-serif-pro/

Or google Comic Book Normal for a better sans

[robwhizz]

Unless it's something you want to add to your portfolio, give them CS.

It may look dreadful to you, but the client couldn't give a fig. I always match the spec, no matter how ugly it appears. I've put together some absolute monstrosities in my time, but happy clients mean repeat business. I find trying to impose my professional opinion on those that have hired me as a paid monkey just costs time and ultimately money.

Unfortunately true. A few years back when framesets were all the rage, I tried to talk a potential client out of using them during a pitch. Lost the pitch, a very lucrative contract, repeat business and any recommendations I might have got.
If you can afford to refuse work, that's one thing, but when you've got to put food on the table then sometimes you've got to lock your design ethics away while you bag the money.
It's always worth voicing your opinion and giving the client actually what they are paying for, put just be careful not to over step the mark. The customer is always right (sometimes).

[Barney McGrew]

Just something that was pointed out to me a few weeks back. A friend of mine who is dyslexic had a recent exam paper written in CS. When I asked him why his was different, he said it was easier to read and understand in this font being dyslexic ?

Not sure if this is true or not and if so has an appeal to certain sites for this nature. Its certainly something I have not heard of before ?