Funny Faces Font: A Playful Typeface for Editorial Design
There’s a quiet moment in every editorial design project when the right typeface clicks into place. I was recently working on the layout of a digital lifestyle magazine, updating the header and pull quote styles to give it a more modern, approachable feel. After testing several display fonts, I landed on Funny Faces, a Dingbat-style font by Gustavo Luis Lucero, and it immediately transformed the mood of the publication.
A Typeface with Personality
Funny Faces is not your typical headline font. It brings a sense of whimsy and charm that feels both intentional and fun. As a Dingbats font, it leans into expressive characters—think stylized letters, playful numerals, and unique punctuation marks. Each glyph has a rhythm that makes it stand out without overwhelming the reader. Its personality is light-hearted but still professional, which makes it ideal for content that wants to balance creativity with clarity.
Editorial Mood and Publication Identity
In the world of editorial design, typography is one of the most powerful tools for shaping a publication’s identity. Funny Faces helped me define a distinct voice for the lifestyle blog I was redesigning. The font brought warmth and curiosity to the page, aligning perfectly with the brand’s mission to inspire joy through everyday living tips, travel stories, and food photography. When used in headers and chapter openers, it created an inviting entry point for readers who might otherwise skim past the content.
I found it particularly useful in a recipe ebook I was formatting. The title pages for each section benefited from the quirky yet legible style of Funny Faces. It added visual interest without making the text hard to read—an essential balance for any digital or print content.
Readability and Practical Use
One concern I had before using Funny Faces was whether its playful nature would interfere with readability. But after testing it in various formats—including mobile layouts and PDF exports—I can confidently say it holds up well in most contexts, especially at larger sizes. The character spacing and stroke contrast are just enough to keep things lively while maintaining clear form.
However, like many display fonts, Funny Faces isn’t suited for body copy. It lacks the subtlety needed for dense paragraphs and could fatigue the reader over time. Instead, it shines as a decorative accent or in secondary typographic elements like pull quotes, sidebars, and section headings.
Font Pairing Tips for Maximum Impact
When incorporating Funny Faces into a design, pairing it with a clean, readable serif or sans serif font is key. For the lifestyle blog, I paired it with a classic serif typeface for the body text, allowing Funny Faces to pop in titles and headers without clashing. This contrast made the layout feel dynamic and organized, guiding the reader’s eye naturally through the content.
- Serif pairing: Works great for adding elegance to a playful header.
- Sans serif pairing: Offers a modern and balanced look, perfect for digital publications.
- Script or handwritten fonts: Should be avoided unless you’re aiming for a very casual or artistic aesthetic.
For a newsletter graphic, I used Funny Faces alongside a minimalist sans serif for captions and navigation labels. The result was a friendly, approachable header that didn’t distract from the core message below.
Use Cases That Work Well
Here are some of the editorial scenarios where I’ve successfully used Funny Faces:
- Blog Headers: The font adds a touch of humor and individuality to blog titles and category headers.
- Pull Quotes: In long-form articles, Funny Faces draws attention to highlighted quotes without interrupting the flow of the text.
- Magazine Covers: Especially in niche or creative magazines, this font gives the cover a distinctive flair.
- Ebook Titles: Perfect for short phrases, chapter titles, or section headers in informal guides and personal development books.
- Printable Planners: Used sparingly in accents or decorative sections, it adds a sense of personality without sacrificing usability.
- Newsletter Graphics: Ideal for headlines or themed illustrations where tone matters more than strict readability.
I also experimented with it in a coaching workbook. While I wouldn’t use it throughout the entire document, it worked beautifully for motivational prompts and section dividers. The goal there was to create a space that felt encouraging and engaging, and Funny Faces helped achieve exactly that.
Considerations Before You Buy
Before integrating any premium font into your workflow, it’s important to check what’s included. With Funny Faces, you’ll find a range of alternates and ligatures that allow for subtle customization. These variations make it versatile enough to adapt to different uses within the same publication.
The file formats provided (usually OTF and TTF) are standard for both web and print use. If you're designing for online platforms, ensure you understand how the font will render across browsers and devices. While it looks great in my digital magazine layout, some users may want to test it on their own setups to confirm compatibility.
Also worth noting is the multilingual support. Though it covers a broad set of languages, if your project requires extended language options, double-check the font's documentation. Commercial licensing is another factor to consider—especially if you're using it in paid newsletters, course PDFs, or client-facing publications. Always review the terms carefully to avoid legal issues down the line.
Where to Use with Caution
Despite its charm, Funny Faces isn’t always the best choice. Avoid using it in small captions, formal reports, or areas where readability is paramount. Because of its expressive style, it can become difficult to parse at smaller sizes or in high-density text blocks. In those cases, a more neutral typeface is preferable to maintain professionalism and ease of reading.
I also recommend steering clear of using it in logo designs unless your brand thrives on eccentricity. While it can add character, it may not hold up in all logo applications, such as tiny icons or monochrome versions.
Final Thoughts
Funny Faces is a creative asset that adds a unique dimension to editorial projects. It’s not about replacing traditional typography—it’s about enhancing it. Whether you're crafting a wedding guide with a lighthearted tone or building a printable planner that needs a little extra cheer, this font offers a refreshing alternative to standard display types.
As someone who values both design and content, I appreciate how Funny Faces supports visual hierarchy and reader engagement without compromising structure. It’s a font that invites interaction, encourages exploration, and fits seamlessly into the modern designer’s toolkit. Just remember to pair it wisely and reserve it for moments where its personality can shine.
If you're looking to inject some warmth and originality into your next editorial design, Funny Faces is worth considering. It’s a testament to how thoughtful typography can elevate the overall experience of reading and interacting with content.
