Doing Better Things: A Playful Font for Stronger Campaigns
I was hunched over my screen, finalizing the visuals for a new product launch. The campaign needed to feel fresh, inviting, and instantly recognizable. I had a sleek sans serif font ready for body text, but something felt off with the headlines. They were clean, but not catchy enough. That’s when I decided to try Doing Better Things.
This playful, handwritten font brought a warmth and personality that my previous choices lacked. It wasn’t just about aesthetics—it was about connection. The irregular curves and friendly strokes made the message feel more human, more approachable. And in a world where attention spans are short, that mattered.
A Font That Feels Like a Friend
Doing Better Things has this charming imperfection that screams authenticity. Think of it as the friend who doodles in the margins of your notebook or signs your birthday card with a flourish. It’s not overly stylized, but it carries a mood—playful, curious, and slightly whimsical. This makes it perfect for campaigns that want to stand out without feeling too forced.
As I tested it across different formats, from Instagram posts to YouTube thumbnails, I noticed how well it balanced legibility with character. Even on small screens, the letterforms stayed clear, which is crucial when your audience is scrolling fast through feeds.
Where Doing Better Things Shines
I used Doing Better Things for several key elements in the campaign:
- Social media headlines: For a seasonal sale, I paired it with a bold sans serif for contrast. The result? A headline that stopped users in their tracks.
- Webinar banners: The font added a personal touch to an otherwise professional event, making it feel like a conversation rather than a lecture.
- Email subject lines: It worked surprisingly well here, adding a spark of curiosity that increased open rates by a noticeable margin.
- Instagram stories and reels covers: The font’s hand-drawn quality blended seamlessly with illustrations and photos, creating a cohesive visual language.
It wasn’t just about looking good—it was about being useful. The font helped me create a consistent tone across all platforms, reinforcing the brand voice without needing to repeat the same phrases everywhere.
Designing with Purpose
One of the best parts of using Doing Better Things was how it naturally guided the viewer’s eye. In a digital ad set, I used it for the main callout, while a clean sans serif handled the supporting text. This created a clear visual hierarchy, making the message easier to digest at a glance.
I also experimented with font pairing. When I matched Doing Better Things with a modern sans serif, it felt both creative and professional. It didn’t clash—it complemented. This flexibility made it ideal for a variety of campaign styles, from minimalistic to maximalist.
Readability and Real-World Use
Even though it’s a handwritten font, Doing Better Things didn’t sacrifice readability. On mobile previews, it held up well against dark backgrounds and bright overlays. It performed especially well in image overlays where the text needed to be legible but not overpowering.
I checked the font files closely before using them in client work. It came with a range of alternates and ligatures, which gave me more control over the final look. Plus, the file formats were compatible with most design tools, and the multilingual support meant I could use it confidently across different markets.
One thing I always keep in mind is licensing. Since Doing Better Things is a freebie, I made sure it met the commercial use requirements for the project. It was important to stay within the bounds of what was allowed, especially since the campaign included ads and merch.
Bringing It All Together
The final campaign launched with a unified look that felt both professional and personable. Doing Better Things played a big role in that balance. It helped make the messaging clearer, the visuals stronger, and the brand more memorable.
If you’re working on a campaign that needs a bit of charm without losing clarity, consider Doing Better Things. It’s not just a font—it’s a tool that can help you connect better with your audience, one playful headline at a time.
