Since its appearance, there have been mixed reviews. Some people, usually youngsters and fellow artists, consider graffiti an artistic expression. Others consider it related to street thugs and gangs. Hollywood movies and some American realities do not even make it better.
Then, how about graffiti fonts? As part of decorative fonts, this type of font has found its place in the hearts of designers. How did it all start, though?
Understanding graffiti fonts means understanding graffiti itself from history. Although ancient markings on rocks and stones existed long before modern human civilization, “graffiti” started becoming well-known around the 1960s and 1970s.
It was the same time the street culture on the East Coast emerged, a mixture of hip-hop and punk rock. Yes, there was also the street gang culture, especially on the West Coast, like earlier zoot suites and cholo culture.
Throughout the decades, graffiti has also become more digitalized. In 2012, Stephen J. Eskilson, in his book Graphic Design: A Modern History, stated that graffiti was among the strongest influences on modern design trends.
Why graffiti fonts? There are some reasons that these fonts are more than just for the streets:
Graffiti is an artistic expression. Just like painting, it takes time to create any graffiti on any wall. Fresh creativity often comes from the minds of the young, so it is no wonder these fonts inspire a youthful, slightly rebellious spirit. Most importantly, they are very attractive in various color combinations.
Each gang member has their style of graffiti. This has later inspired designers to create their graffiti fonts for their work. From the size, width, and length to the color combinations of each graffiti style, you will find their uniqueness. That is why it is difficult to copy them.
Graffiti fonts are also known to adapt to change. You may create them in different shapes and sizes (and color combinations too). It does not take long for them to find admirers, whether they are commoners or fellow artists and designers.
It also does not take long for each graffiti style to keep their loyal fans. Just like legacy, it gets passed down on to the next generation. That is what also makes them timeless … in their own ways. They will always find new people to like them, from one transformation after another one.
So, what are the most suitable graffiti letter fonts for your urban art projects this year? Here is the list of your 2024 options:
Bustro Brush Font represents one of the graffiti fonts inspired by street art. For your urban art projects, enjoy the quick strokes and sharp details here. These are the two things we can highlight from Bustro Brush Font. Think about using this font on T-shirts, websites, hoodies, clothing lines, advertising, and many more.
Who says graffiti brushes always need more than just one color? Quastro Brush Font is still qualified as graffiti. It only takes smooth strokes and brushes to create clear lettering. To make it more readable, try not to combine too many colors and backgrounds. That will only distract people’s attention.
Quastro Brush Font is all about simplicity. The monochromatic style is the best. You can practically consider this style classic as well.
Huberto Street Rush Font does not need too much to stand out. Consider this a combination of monochromatic style meets a single strike. The yellow caption is basically like a bright street light at night. The lettering is smooth but still flexible-looking.
Just like Bustro Brush Font, Huberto Street Rush Font is also perfect for T-shirts, websites, hoodies, clothing lines, advertising, and many more.
Rainy Snow may also work as a display font, but can you see the lettering and the design? This makes a perfect graffiti font as well. Imagine the thickness of each letter, combined with additional splashes of color to beautify them. The liquid accent of the coloring may remind you of melting snow or some spills.
This accentuation is also commonly used by artists drawing real graffiti on the walls. If the spilling addition on the letters is red, one might associate it with … blood. Sounds like some gangster thing to you?
Graffiti does not always have to appear so tough, dark, and masculine. Harvelly Switch offers something playful, retro, and flexible to use in many things. This is not just a bold script font, but you can also use it for event invitations, fashion, product packaging, sports jerseys, T-shirts, and many more.
The thickness of the letters and the color combination may remind you of sports jersey uniforms, like baseball teams.
Here comes another graffiti font that does not need to be all thick and colorful. As a serif display font, Morvino Growing offers a retro style that is perfect for websites, product packaging, quotes, photography, watermarks, and many more.
The slim lettering makes Morvino Growing very much readable. By using the same color on these letters, it will not be difficult to use any backgrounds you wish.
Last, but not least, Ranked Hockey is more than a handcraft display font. You may probably see something similar as graffiti on some walls. Thick and colorful, this makes an attention-grabbing web font and other purposes. For example, handcraft, product packaging, labels, watermarks, photography, logos, branding, and many more.
Ranked Hockey makes sporty, playful graffiti fonts. Although this may be considered ‘too soft’ to be part of the street art, you can still use this font for your urban art projects.
So, who says graffiti fonts are only for the streets?
