26 Free Progressive and Experimental Fonts

Posted by Henry Jones on Apr 29, 2010 | 36 Comments

Design is constantly changing and moving forward. However, typography is one aspect of design that seems to resist progression. When it comes to typography, there are standards and traditions that have been around for many years. These rules are there for a reason – to make sure that letters and words are legible. But to move forward, sometimes rules have to be broken. So for this post we’ve rounded up 26 free progressive and experimental fonts. These fonts might be pushing the limits of traditional type design, but the results are stunning.

36 comments

Chris Mower
April 29, 2010
I like the Slimbo font. Most of the other ones are a little too retro for my taste. It’s not easy making a font, kudos to those who do it.
Reply
Ann Thomas
April 29, 2010
Ooo these are lovely! I love the retro appeal in these fonts, downloaded a handful of them. Thanks for sharing =)
Reply
футболка
April 29, 2010
Although retro is good, but not in every text
Reply
Tom Dringer
April 29, 2010
Love these fonts. Look really cool. Thanks!
Reply
Agence web
April 29, 2010
Thanks, some of them are very interesting !
Reply
Geoffrey Gordon
April 29, 2010
Super Awesome I really like this unusual list of fonts. Will try a few of these in my next designs.

Latest Blog post: 12 Ways To Market Your Brand Better
Reply
Digital Pizza
April 29, 2010
Thx for sharing!
I like Quadranta very much! Thx god these fonts are free!!!

Digital Pizza latest post: http://www.digital-pza.com/blog/inspiration/showcase-of-iron-man-artworks/
Reply
Lisa
April 29, 2010
I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed your article. I really enjoy your site I’m currently 22, a college student, and quickly looking to develop myself on the web. I currently work at my university as the web designer and developer. I’m impressed with these resources and hope to discover more here in the future.

I just want to add another point of reference for typography is http://www.pilo.me – it is a quite remarkable typography forum where you can find free and exclusive typefaces. It is usually invite only, so if memberships are open, join while you can and be sure to contribute as the rules are a bit strict.
Reply
CSSReX
April 29, 2010
Nice! I am loving it ::)
Reply
Alexander Sperl
April 29, 2010
It’s amazing how many of these typefaces are so obviously inspired by (if not partly contructed in) FontStruct. Modularity is an approach that is quite dominant in typeface design it seems.
Reply
Chosenoneknuckles
April 29, 2010
I’m lovin’ a whole bunch of these – thanks for the headsup!
Reply
Ron
April 29, 2010
Most of them are variation of the others. Seen so many of this style, nothing is original anymore. The last 4 ones are my favourites.
Reply
Damian Smith
April 29, 2010
nice list, I especially like quadranta, probably just the way it has been used in that design anyway. The one that I would probably use quite often is days and val. I think they could work really well in a few of the websites I have designed, especially val with starburst, it is kind of bit like cooperblack.

Using a web embed font tool, web designs are becoming so much nicer too look at now so many fonts can used and still be “SEO” friendly. Just can’t wait for CSS3 and HTML5 to become more usable (basically meaning getting everyone to stop using old browsers, mainly IE)!
Reply
yellowpulp
April 29, 2010
solid!
Reply
Photoshop Tutorials
April 29, 2010
Thanks for the share. some of the fonts are exceptionally looking good will be going to check it out
Reply
Jordan Walker
April 29, 2010
Very nice and progressive, thanks for the round up.
Reply
Paavel
April 29, 2010
Nice list of fonts!
Reply
Rachel
April 29, 2010
Nice list of fonts..exceptionally good..i like the Tribbon font very much..thanks for sharing
Reply
Ahmed Amanatullah
April 29, 2010
Great post. Love Quadranta, Clutchee, Tribbon, Etcetera, and Days.

Thank you.
Reply
Xcellence IT
April 30, 2010
nice fonts…. thanks for sharing…
Reply
EricE
April 30, 2010
Great article

Something new:
http://www.behance.net/Gallery/QUB-font/487834
Reply
silvia K
April 30, 2010
Very nice fonts…
I love it.
Thank’s a lot.
Reply
Web Design Soul
April 30, 2010
great collection. Thanks a lot for sharing!
Reply
Jonathan Hager
May 1, 2010
I literally just downloaded this font, you should add it to the list:

http://useallfive.com/blog/sly-fox/
Reply
Alice
May 1, 2010
Nice
Quite a few of these are a more retro look, am I right? Reminds me of Milton Glaser….
Reply
Kevin Adams
May 1, 2010
love it… I look forward to playing around with them
Reply
hydrangea1
May 3, 2010
Thanks so much for these fonts, I really like paranoid and Ultras and downloaded the latter!
Reply
Russell Poulter
May 5, 2010
Great round up. Bookmarked!

Thanks.
Reply
Toyin
May 6, 2010
Great selection of fonts. I just downloaded the Quadranta. Great work you’re doing on this site altogether. Keep it up.
Reply
ZenemiG
May 10, 2010
Pincoya Black would have been a great addition to this article http://www.flickr.com/photos/the_hernandez/4502775191/

I’m using it on my site.
Reply
Bill Hill
June 1, 2010
Nice fonts – silly article. There have never been limits on font design if you want to create fonts for headings or artistic purposes like posters, etc.
The so-called “rules” apply to typography for body text people read for sustained periods. And they’re not “rules”, rather constraints that are driven by the mechanics of human vision. Typefaces have been evolving since Gutenberg. Body text has changed little in the past couple of hundred years because what worked for human vision survived, and what didn’t work failed. Human vision hasn’t changed in the past few million years…
Reply
wordpress design
June 18, 2010
these fonts are all great! I love the “LOT” font. thanks for sharing
Reply
Blink Web Design UK
August 13, 2010
Quadranta is lovely
Reply
Wartin
September 7, 2010
The link for days.otf is broken. This one works though. Enjoy. Thanks for all this, brillliant stuff altogether.

http://www.dafont.com/days.font
Reply
Fernando Veloso
December 5, 2010
Great round up it is. Will test LOT Font nest project for a Dj Academy. Pretty neat font if you ask me.
Reply
Sebastien
November 16, 2011
Love it. Thanks for sharing!
Reply

Web Design Ledger

Related Posts

36 comments

Lisa

Chosenoneknuckles

EricE

silvia K

Jonathan Hager

Kevin Adams

hydrangea1

Leave a Reply

Subscribe