Why doesn’t Coca-Cola use their iconic type for their headings?

Alright, I’m assuming this article’s title question has an obvious answer.

With that in mind it’s time to talk about fonts, branding, and the eternal debate: to match or not to match your logotype and headings.

The decision on whether a logotype and headings should share the same font depends on many factors including a brand’s wider visual identity, the message you want to convey, the overall design aesthetics and readability. Yep I know – it’s another ‘it depends’ answer!

Let’s take a look at a few reasons why you might want to use the same font:

Reasons to use the same font:

• Consistency: Using the same font can create a cohesive and harmonised look across your brand’s materials.
• Brand Recognition: Consistent use of a particular font can contribute to brand recognition, making your brand more memorable to your audience.
• Simplicity: It simplifies the design process and logistics as you have fewer fonts to manage and pair together.

And why you might opt for a different font:

Reasons to use different fonts:

• Distinction: Having a unique logotype can help the logo stand out and be more recognisable, especially if the chosen heading font is quite common.
• Flexibility: Different contexts may require different type treatments, and using a separate font for the logotype can provide more versatility in your design.
• Hierarchy: Using a different font can help establish a clear visual hierarchy, ensuring that the logotype doesn’t compete with the content for attention.
• Font Characteristics: The characteristics of a different heading font can add to the overall tone of voice of the brand.
• Legibility: Let’s be real, the Coca-Cola logotype isn’t going to work for readable headings!

Ultimately, whether or not to use the same font for a logotype and headings depends on the specific goals and needs of your branding project. It’s crucial to strike a balance between consistency and variety to create visually appealing and effective designs.

I love this topic of conversation, and I’ve discussed it a lot with other creatives – I’d also like to hear your thoughts: contact me here or DM on Instagram.