Fonts for Fantastical Designs

Infuse your epic creative works with a little magic... ✦

Smolder | Creative Studio

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Nicole Smolen

Nov 04, 2024

The Fantasy Genre

What was your introduction to fantasy? A book, film, television show, or video game?

An early passion for literature led me to explore other worlds as a kid. I remember devouring The Chronicles of Narnia and Harry Potter. Well into adulthood, I remain utterly infatuated by quests, reluctant heroes, lost heirs, magical schools… Oh, and don’t forget dragons and elves.

Fantasy is a subgenre of speculative fiction, which encompasses “a type of story or literature that is set in a world that is different from the one we live in, or that deals with magical or imagined future events.”1 On a deeper level, fantastical tales exist in mythical places with its own unique logical and physical laws. They are commonly influenced by traditional myths and historical accounts—especially those from the Medieval period! While visiting, you might become acquainted with centaurs, griffins, werewolves, unicorns, goblins, vampires, sprites, mermaids, and a whole host of other mythical creatures.

There are also many different types of fantasy. You can choose from dystopian, dark, high, low, historical, urban, sci-fi, etc. One of my all-time favorites is magical realism.

Fantasy on the Screen

Beyond literature, fantasy has continued to shape and influence the entertainment industry. There are countless films and television shows that make the impossible possible. When you watch them, you can’t help but feel transfixed by the on-screen magic.

Here are some examples of immersive visual experiences:

FILMS

The Lord of the Rings (2001-2003)
The Hobbit (2012-2014)
Harry Potter (2001-2011)
Pirates of the Caribbean (2003-2017)
Labyrinth (1986)
The Princess Bride (1987)
The Mummy (1999)
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe (2005)
Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)

TV SHOWS

Game of Thrones (2011-2019)
The Vampire Diaries (2009-2017)
The Originals (2013-2018)
Outlander (2014- )
The Witcher (2019- )
The Wheel of Time (2021- )
Shadow and Bone (2021-2023)
House of the Dragon (2022- )
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022- )
The Sandman (2022- )

One look and you’re instantly transported. These captivating opening sequences serve as invitations to explore previously uncharted fantastical worlds. They are complex, three-dimensional designs that took days, if not weeks, to conceptualize, draft, and fully realize.