Still Roost: A Handwritten Font for Creative Projects
It started with a blank brand board and a client who wanted something warm, personal, and inviting. They were launching a small café, and the goal was to create a visual identity that felt like a cozy morning in a neighborhood spot. I knew I needed a font that could bring that feeling to life, and that’s when I discovered Still Roost.
Still Roost is a paint-brushed handwritten font that feels like it was drawn with care. Its strokes have a soft, organic quality, with subtle variations that make each letter feel unique. The font has a friendly, approachable personality—perfect for a brand that wants to connect on a human level. It’s also PUA encoded, which means all the glyphs and swashes are easily accessible without any complicated setup.
The First Mockup: Logo Design
I began by testing Still Roost on a logo draft. The font’s natural flow made it ideal for a handcrafted look, and its versatility allowed me to experiment with different styles. Whether I was using it as a bold headline or a more delicate tagline, it maintained its character without looking forced.
One of the things I loved about Still Roost was how it adapted to different design elements. On a shop sign, it added a sense of authenticity. On a business card, it felt personal and intentional. It wasn’t just a font—it was a part of the story.
Brand Identity: Consistency and Personality
As the project evolved, I used Still Roost across various brand materials. It worked well as a display font for headlines and titles, but I also found it effective as an accent font when paired with a more structured typeface. For example, combining it with a clean sans serif helped balance the warmth of the script with the professionalism of the modern style.
Readability was never an issue, even at smaller sizes. The font’s legibility made it suitable for product labels and packaging, where clarity is key. It also helped create a visual hierarchy that guided the viewer through the design without overwhelming them.
Still Roost brought a sense of consistency to the brand. Every piece—from the menu to the social media graphics—felt connected, reinforcing the café’s identity in a way that felt cohesive and authentic.
Designing for Different Mediums
When I moved to digital design, Still Roost shone on website headers and hero sections. Its fluidity gave the site a dynamic feel, while its elegance kept it from looking too casual. On social media posts, it added a touch of personality that stood out in a crowded feed.
I also used it on printed marketing materials, like flyers and posters. The font’s texture complemented the tactile nature of print, making the designs feel more engaging. It worked equally well on both light and dark backgrounds, which was a big plus for flexibility.
Font Pairing and Style Considerations
Pairing Still Roost with other fonts was a fun exercise. When I combined it with a classic serif, it created a contrast that felt timeless. With a modern sans serif, it added a touch of warmth to an otherwise clean design. And when used alongside another handwritten font, it created a layered, textured look that felt rich and detailed.
One thing to keep in mind is that Still Roost works best as a display or headline font. While it’s readable in short-form text, it’s not ideal for long paragraphs. That said, it can be a great choice for headings, captions, and accents where it can shine without competing with other elements.
Practical Tips for Testing the Font
Before finalizing the design, I always recommend testing a font in real-world scenarios. I created mockups of packaging, signage, and digital assets to see how Still Roost performed in different contexts. This helped identify any potential issues and ensured it would work consistently across all materials.
I also checked the font’s file formats and licensing to make sure it was suitable for commercial use. Still Roost’s PUA encoding made it easy to access all the glyphs and swashes, which was a huge time-saver during the design process.
Final Thoughts on Still Roost
Still Roost is more than just a font—it’s a tool that can elevate a design with its warmth and personality. Whether you’re working on a café branding project, a boutique label, or a creative studio identity, it offers a versatile and expressive option that feels both professional and heartfelt.
For designers looking for a premium font that brings a human touch to their work, Still Roost is definitely worth considering. Its combination of style, usability, and flexibility makes it a valuable addition to any design toolkit.
