Best Fonts? What should every designer have?

Looking for the best.

[Swordfish]

I have a few extra dollars to expand my fonts, stock photos, etc.

What is some of your favorites...

Thank You

[Wlauzon]

If you are talking about website design, then pretty much nothing but the default Windows fonts.

[Swordfish]

i'm talking graphic design...

[Wlauzon]

Depends on what type of work you do. Do a search for Opentype fonts, there are some pretty nice ones around for sale (and almost none for free).

Open Type specs seem to have much better kerning etc than Truetype.

[limbo]

Opentype was designed by microsoft and adobe to be compatible across media and system. It functions on macs and windows + printers have no probelem with them. It shouldn't make a difference when it comes to auto kerning leading etc - thats more a results of the font/software itself IMO.

If I had new kit and needed new licenses I'd go out and buy a selection of decent 'mainstays'. These 8/9 fonts get used daily here:

Helvetica Neue

Caslon

Avante Garde

Franklin Gothic

Univers

Frutiger

Gill Sans

Mrs Eaves

Sabon

Futura...

It really depends on what you are trying to accomplish. There are thousands of fonts to choose from and most have a freeware edition that is not too unlike it pro-grade brother (onscreen). but I'd not advise this route for design that needs to be adaptable (website + company branding).

The ITC has some nice font packs that you can purchase - they can seem expensive but good fonts in a family of weights are worth their weight in gold.

If I could go out today and but 1/2 a dozen new fonts that list would include (in no particular order):

Klavika

Plume

Bello

FF Nexus

Kari

Auto

Or you could use comic sans - on of my personal favourites...

[limbo]

Also like bliss, requiem and chevin. :)

[Matt Probert]

Or you could use comic sans - on of my personal favourites...

And me. I do hope you're not being sarcastic.

Matt

[limbo]

I do hope you're not being sarcastic.

Wouldn't dream of it.

[pageoneresults]

All the fonts you'll ever need...

Adobe Font Folio [store.adobe.com] ¦ Linotype GoldEdition [linotype.com]

Deep pockets required. :(

On a side note: In today's marketplace, using the features that are available at the larger font houses is a great tool. For example, the MyFonts website allows you to generate example text from their library of fonts. It's a neat feature if you have a client looking for a unique font for a headline or even company logo text.

[Matt Probert]

At EUR 10,335.60 I think Linotype are having a laugh!

Matt

[aphido]

Check out 1001 free fonts first before you spend any money- there are some cracking fonts on there that you dont need to shell out for, and at worst give the creator a heads up that you're using it. Worth bearing in mind, I've found it to be a useful resource at times.

[Jon_King]

I second Adobe Font Folio and of course, many from the International Typeface Corporation. I'm wondering if the folks here know of the deceased U&lc publication?