It is difficult to pinpoint where and when the first "grunge" font was used, and who first used it. But signs point to surfer turned graphic designer, David Carson, who was known as the "Father of Grunge." His signature distorted and often illegible style was loved and hated in nearly equal measures in the 90's. In his magazine, Ray Gun, he once set an entire interview he disliked in the Dingbat typeface. In 1993, he opened the type foundry, Garage Fonts, that featured many of the type styles he was using in Ray Gun. Today, it has over 750 fonts by numerous different designers.
Some grunge examples from Garage Fonts:
David Carson may not be the first person to ever use a distressed font, or create something dark and beautiful with typography, but he may be where the name and the style got its identity.
I bet he robbed banks dressed like an ex-president.
ReplyDeleteThis dude had the critical reaction that all good innovators should strive for.