Simple is the Best: A Handwritten Font for Authentic Branding
I was staring at a blank brand board one afternoon, sipping on my third cup of coffee, when I stumbled across Simple is the Best. It wasn’t just any font—it had this warm, handwritten feel that immediately caught my eye. As a designer who spends most of my day balancing creativity with clarity, I knew this could be the perfect tool for a real project I was working on: a branding identity for a small artisanal skincare brand.
Simple is the Best isn’t just cute; it’s got a soft, organic charm that feels like it was scribbled on a chalkboard or written in a journal. The letters are slightly uneven, with gentle curves and a touch of imperfection that gives it an authentic, human touch. That kind of personality is rare in fonts, especially ones that can be used for both digital and print media.
First Impressions on a Logo Mockup
I started by testing Simple is the Best on a logo draft. The brand name, “Lush Bloom,” needed something that felt personal but still professional. I placed the font on a circular badge mockup, paired it with a minimalist serif font for balance. The contrast worked well—the handwritten font brought warmth, while the serif added structure.
What stood out was how readable it was despite its casual look. Even with the slight irregularities in the letterforms, the text didn’t feel cluttered or hard to read. That’s a big plus for a brand that wants to communicate approachability without sacrificing professionalism.
Testing It Across Different Media
Next, I moved to packaging mockups. I applied Simple is the Best to label stickers, product tags, and even a sample brochure. On a glass jar label, the font looked natural—like someone had written it by hand. For social media posts, I used it in short captions and promotional headers. It felt right for Instagram stories and Facebook ads, where a friendly, relatable tone is key.
I also tested it on a hero section of the brand’s website. Paired with a clean sans-serif body font, Simple is the Best became the headline for the homepage. It drew attention without overpowering the design. The font’s subtle variations in stroke width and spacing gave the text a nice rhythm, making it easy for the eye to follow.
Why This Font Works for Branding
Simple is the Best is versatile enough to be a display font, yet it has enough character to work as a supporting typeface. It’s not too bold or ornate, which makes it ideal for logos, headings, and short-form text. In the case of the skincare brand, it helped create a visual language that felt handcrafted and genuine.
One thing I noticed was how it played well with other typography styles. When paired with a modern sans-serif, it created a nice contrast. When used with a classic serif, it added a touch of nostalgia. For a more cohesive look, I experimented with using it alongside another script font in smaller sections, like footers or taglines.
Readability was another factor I considered. Since Simple is the Best is a handwritten font, I made sure to test it in different sizes and weights. It performed well in large headlines but wasn’t suitable for long paragraphs. That’s why I reserved it for titles, slogans, and short messages rather than body text.
Practical Tips for Using Simple is the Best
If you're considering Simple is the Best for your next project, here are a few tips:
- Use it for logos, headlines, and short-form text rather than long paragraphs.
- Pair it with a complementary font for better visual hierarchy.
- Test it in different sizes and colors to see how it behaves across media types.
- Check if it supports multilingual characters if your project requires it.
- Always ensure you have the proper commercial font license if you're using it for client work.
For the skincare brand, I ended up using Simple is the Best in the logo, packaging labels, and social media graphics. It became a central part of their brand identity, helping them stand out in a crowded market with a unique, personal touch.
As I wrapped up the project, I realized how much the font contributed to the overall feel of the brand. It wasn’t just about aesthetics—it was about creating a connection with the audience. And that’s what good design is all about.
