Bringing Personality to Branding with Pretty Ordinary
I was sitting at my desk, staring at a blank brand board, when I knew it was time to find a font that could carry the energy of this new project. A small artisanal café wanted a visual identity that felt fresh and inviting, something that would make their logo stand out on a storefront sign and feel right at home on a social media post. That’s when I came across Pretty Ordinary.
Pretty Ordinary is a brush display font with a bold and quirky look. It has a contemporary and fresh vibe, which immediately made me think of how it could work for this project. The strokes are expressive, almost like hand-drawn marks, but with enough structure to keep things readable. It feels playful yet professional—exactly what I needed for a brand that wants to be approachable but not too casual.
I started by testing Pretty Ordinary in a few different scenarios. First, I used it as the main text for the logo draft. The name of the café was simple, but with Pretty Ordinary, it felt like it had character. The letters had a slight irregularity that gave them personality without being distracting. I placed it over a soft background mockup and saw how well it stood out. It didn’t scream for attention, but it definitely commanded it in a friendly way.
Next, I moved to packaging design. The café sells specialty coffee blends and single-origin beans. For the product labels, I paired Pretty Ordinary with a clean sans serif font for the supporting text. This contrast worked well—it gave the label a modern edge while keeping the information clear. The font also looked great on a sample bag mockup, where it helped reinforce the idea of something handmade and unique.
For digital use, I tested Pretty Ordinary on a homepage hero section. The font size was larger than usual, but it still maintained its readability. I noticed that even though it’s a display font, it didn’t feel too overwhelming. It added a sense of movement and creativity to the design, which aligned perfectly with the café’s brand voice.
On Instagram posts, I used Pretty Ordinary for headlines and captions. The font’s quirky nature fit the platform’s aesthetic well. It wasn’t too formal, which made the content feel more relatable. I also experimented with using it in flyers and posters. In these cases, I made sure to give the font enough space so that the boldness didn’t overshadow the message.
One thing I noticed early on was how Pretty Ordinary affected the visual hierarchy. When used as a headline or title, it naturally drew the eye. But when used for longer blocks of text, it became less effective. That made me realize that Pretty Ordinary works best as a display font or for short-form text. It’s not meant to be the main body typeface, but it can be a powerful accent or supporting element in a brand system.
I also thought about how Pretty Ordinary could influence brand perception. Its bold and quirky look suggested a brand that’s confident, creative, and a bit unconventional. That matched the café’s vision perfectly. It helped create a sense of recognition and consistency across all materials—from business cards to signage to online assets.
If you’re considering using Pretty Ordinary in your next project, I recommend testing it thoroughly before committing. Try pairing it with different fonts to see what works best. A serif font might add a touch of elegance, while a modern sans serif could balance the quirkiness with professionalism. Also, check if the font includes alternates or ligatures that could enhance your designs further.
Another thing to consider is the file formats and commercial licensing. Since Pretty Ordinary is a premium font, it’s important to ensure that it’s properly licensed for the scope of your project. Whether you're designing for print or digital use, having the right permissions will save you from any legal hiccups down the line.
In the end, Pretty Ordinary became a key part of the café’s brand identity. It brought a sense of fun and originality to everything from the logo to the packaging. It reminded me that sometimes, the most unexpected fonts can become the most memorable ones. If you're working on a project that needs a little extra flair, I’d say Pretty Ordinary is worth giving a try.
