This Or That: Futura vs. Montserrat for Modern Design

Welcome to This or That, a series born out of my love for how a design element can be completely wrong for one project but absolutely right for another. In each installment, I’ll compare two similar design choices and share my appreciation for both. Good design is rarely about picking a favorite. It's about understanding what works, when, and why.

This week: Fonts!

Specifically, two of my favorites: Futura and Montserrat. Both are rooted in modernist ideals, but they bring very different energy to a project.

Sample of the Futura font

Sample of the Montserrat font

Futura: Timeless Modernism

Futura, created in 1928 by Paul Renner, is one of the most iconic fonts of the 20th century, rooted deeply in the principles of the Bauhaus movement. As part of the early wave of modernist design, Futura was intended to communicate strength and clarity through its geometric, sans-serif style. It uses simple, clean lines with a sense of precision, capturing the essence of forward-thinking design.

Key Characteristics of Futura:

• Geometric Precision: The use of perfect circles and straight lines creates a balanced and harmonious feel.

• Timeless Strength: The font’s clarity and readability have made it a reliable choice for everything from corporate logos to art deco signage.

• Cultural Influence: Futura has been used in iconic logos (such as Volkswagen and Nike) and film titles (like 2001: A Space Odyssey), adding a layer of cultural relevance that still resonates today.

  
  

Best For:

• Brand identities looking for a strong, minimalist, and modern vibe.

• Projects with a timeless, authoritative look, like tech companies, luxury brands, or any design requiring clarity.

Montserrat: Contemporary Modernism

Montserrat, designed by Julieta Ulanovsky in 2011, is a more recent addition to the modern sans-serif family. Inspired by the old posters and signage of Buenos Aires, it brings a fresh, contemporary take on the same modernist principles that birthed Futura. With its rounded corners and more organic feel, Montserrat injects a sense of warmth and accessibility that Futura’s stricter geometric forms don’t necessarily evoke.

Image from zsquarestudio.com

Key Characteristics of Montserrat:

• Warm, Inviting Curves: Unlike Futura’s strict geometry, Montserrat incorporates more rounded corners, giving it a softer, more approachable feel.

• Contemporary Design: While maintaining the essence of modernism, it adds a fresh twist with more variation in weight and width, making it versatile across different media.

• Cultural Roots: Its design was influenced by the urban signage of Buenos Aires, lending a bit of urban flair to its modernist roots.

  
  

Best For:

• Projects that need a modern, friendly personality

• Branding for startups, websites, or social media design that want to communicate a forward-thinking, accessible vibe.

Futura vs. Montserrat: Which to Choose?

Ultimately, the right typeface depends on your project's goals.

Choose Futura if you want a versatile typeface with structure, legibility ,and simplicity that compliments a timeless feel.

Choose Montserrat if you want a contemporary twist on modernism with a friendly and approachable feel.

Both fonts offer clean sans-serif styles with strong legibilty for web and print. So, which will it be? This or That?