Suggestion for change of Qubes logotype font

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Problem: The currently used font for Qubes OS’s logotype, Ostrich Sans Bold, has been described as “Terrible, do not use” by its own designer. I wouldn’'t go that far but the font doesn’t talk to me. It’s not expressive.

Solution: I suggest a highly expressive, futuristic but optimistic font, one that screams “freedom”. More specifically, the Good Times font in the Light weight. It takes cues from late-20th-century automotive lettering, i. e., from a time when people actually felt good about the future.

You can preview the font in the Light weight here. Below is a preview in the Regular weight which happens to be free (as in beer). But the Light weight is slightly better, in my opinion.

preview

Note 1: The font’s Light weight requires a purchase for logo typing and a custom license for embedding in open-source software.

Note 2: It was used in the 2008/2009 video game Mirror’s Edge’s logotype, a game that plays with motives like conformism, convenience vs. freedom, totalitarianism, privacy and surveillance. That’s also how I found the font.

Note 3: A rather similar font is in use by General Dynamics for their logo since the 1950s already. While the past doesn’t necessarily predict the future, I still think it’s a testament to the modernity of this type of font and its ability to stand the test of time.

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Then only issue with the current ‘Q’ logo that I have is that it reminds move of QuickTime and that the good visual concept of the cube is not particularly recognizable when small. Your suggestion ignores that concept completely.

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Please note that I do not mean to make suggestions for a change of the logo (the “Q”) but the logotype.

Not this:

b259e67730c5ce8bb587274123e00f6337b88b0f_2_120x120
b259e67730c5ce8bb587274123e00f6337b88b0f_2_120x120120×120 4.23 KB

But this:

Screenshot logotype
Screenshot logotype384×108 5.29 KB

I have changed the OP to clarify that.

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Well this topic is very subjective, and changing such thing in a project like this… is really questionable.

I personally don’t like the font you suggested, but this is my personal opinion.

Moreover, a font that is not free and open-source - is not the best candidate for a free and open-source project… and it is still just my personal opinion :wink:

In general: If you - or anybody from the community - thinking about to change any design element, I would suggest to provide some alternatives, and create a poll to get some opinions - just my 2 cents.

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Edit: Sorry for the content-free post that follows. Please delete, mods.

Qubes OS, as a novelty project and one of its kind, is generally very hard to find a font for that is a good match. It’s the same with its GUI, by the way. I was happy when I saw the font I suggested because it’s genuinely the only font I would consider a match – if I had a say in this.

I would have appreciated it if you included one paragraph of, well, appreciation for me losing sleep over this admittedly marginal topic.

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