Our Hand Family: A Handwritten Typeface for Creative Projects
It was a quiet afternoon when I opened a blank brand board, ready to sketch out a new identity for a local café. The client wanted something warm, approachable, and a little bit personal. After trying a few options, I settled on Our Hand Family—a handwritten typeface that felt just right for the project.
What Is Our Hand Family?
Our Hand Family is a serif font with a distinct handwritten feel. It’s not too ornate, but it carries a sense of authenticity that can add character to any design. The strokes are slightly irregular, mimicking the natural flow of a pen on paper. This makes it ideal for projects that need a human touch, like logos, packaging, or social media graphics.
The font has a friendly and inviting personality. It doesn’t scream attention, but it draws you in with its subtle charm. Whether used in a logo or as a headline, it adds a layer of warmth that other fonts might lack.
Testing Our Hand Family in Real Branding Work
I first tested Our Hand Family on a logo concept. The client had a small café with a focus on handmade pastries and coffee. I tried it alongside a few other serif fonts, and Our Hand stood out for its balance between readability and personality. It wasn’t too quirky, which made it versatile enough for a variety of applications.
Next, I placed it on a packaging mockup. The café needed a label for their signature cake boxes. Our Hand Family looked great in both large and small sizes, though I noticed that at very small sizes, some of the details could get lost. Still, for a product label, it worked well—especially when paired with a clean sans serif for the ingredient list.
On a business card, Our Hand Family added a nice contrast against the more rigid text. It made the contact information feel more personal and less corporate. For a website header, it provided a strong visual anchor without overwhelming the rest of the design.
When to Use Our Hand Family
Our Hand Family excels as a display or headline font. It’s best suited for short phrases, logos, and branding elements where personality matters. It’s not ideal for long body text, especially in print, where clarity and legibility are crucial. In web design, it works well for headings, buttons, and call-to-action elements.
For a skincare brand, I used Our Hand Family as the main logo font. It gave the brand a soft, trustworthy feel that aligned with their message of natural ingredients and gentle care. When paired with a modern sans serif for the product descriptions, it created a balanced and professional look.
In social media graphics, Our Hand Family added a unique flair. It worked particularly well for Instagram posts and Facebook banners, where a custom, handcrafted feel could enhance the brand’s image.
Limitations and Considerations
While Our Hand Family is great for many applications, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. In formal or corporate settings, it might come across as too casual. For example, a law firm or financial institution would likely prefer a more traditional serif or sans serif font.
Readability is another factor to consider. At smaller sizes, especially in print, the subtle variations in the strokes can make the text harder to read. It’s best to test it thoroughly before finalizing any design.
Also, keep in mind that handwritten fonts can vary in appearance depending on the platform or device. Always check how it looks across different screens and materials.
Font Pairing and Design Tips
Pairing Our Hand Family with a complementary font can enhance its impact. A clean sans serif like Montserrat or Lato works well for body text, providing contrast and clarity. For a more dramatic effect, try pairing it with a script font, but be careful not to overdo it.
If you're working with a serif font, Our Hand Family can add a fresh twist to an otherwise classic design. It also pairs nicely with modern typography systems, offering a blend of tradition and creativity.
When using it in editorial design, such as a magazine or brochure, keep the text blocks short and use it for headings or subheadings. This helps maintain a clear visual hierarchy while still leveraging the font’s unique character.
Final Thoughts on Our Hand Family
Our Hand Family is a versatile and expressive typeface that brings a human element to design. It’s perfect for brands that want to stand out with a personal touch, whether it's a boutique, a café, or a handmade shop.
Before using it in client work, I always recommend testing it in multiple contexts. Try it on different surfaces, in various sizes, and with different color schemes. This ensures it works well for the specific needs of the project.
As with any commercial font, make sure to review the licensing terms. Some fonts have restrictions on usage, especially for print or digital products. Always confirm that Our Hand Family is suitable for your intended application.
