Ourstory: A Clean Handwritten Display Font for Modern Branding
I opened a blank Figma file this morning, staring at a white canvas that felt both terrifying and full of potential. The brief was simple but demanding: create a visual identity for a new artisanal skincare line called "Botanical & Bare." The client wanted warmth, authenticity, and a touch of modern elegance—nothing too corporate, nothing too chaotic. As a graphic designer, I’ve learned that the right display font can make or break that initial impression. That’s when I pulled up Ourstory, a clean and approachable display font designed with a warm, personal silhouette.
From the moment I dragged it onto the artboard, I knew this was going to work. The letterforms are vertically elongated, rendered with a consistent, monolinear stroke that gives it a distinct, hand-crafted feel without looking messy. In this article, I’ll walk you through how I tested Ourstory in a real-world branding project, from logo drafts to packaging mockups, and why this typeface might be the missing piece in your own creative toolkit.
Why Ourstory Works as a Premium Display Font for Lifestyle Brands
When selecting fonts for lifestyle brands, readability often takes a backseat to personality—but not if you want your audience to actually connect with the message. Ourstory strikes a delicate balance between artistic flair and legibility. Its handwritten aesthetic feels intimate, like a note written by a friend, yet its structural consistency ensures it doesn’t look amateurish. This is crucial for logo design and brand identity systems where clarity is key.
The vertically elongated proportions of the characters draw the eye upward, creating a sense of grace and sophistication. When I placed the word "Bare" in large capitals using Ourstory, it immediately established a premium tone. Unlike many script fonts that require careful kerning adjustments to avoid overlapping strokes, the monolinear nature of this typeface keeps the x-height uniform and the spacing predictable. For designers working on tight deadlines, this reliability is invaluable. It allows you to focus on layout and composition rather than fighting with baseline shifts or inconsistent stroke weights.
Testing Ourstory for Logo Design and Wordmarks
The first step in any branding project is exploring logotypes. I started by experimenting with Ourstory for the primary wordmark. Because it is a display font, it shines brightest when used in isolation or with minimal supporting text. I tried setting the brand name in all caps, which emphasized the verticality of the letters, creating a tall, slender silhouette that looked striking against a soft, earthy background.
I also tested lowercase variations. Here, the font’s warm, personal silhouette really came alive. The gentle curves of the 'a', 'e', and 's' gave the logo a friendly, inviting character. This duality—professional yet approachable—is exactly what many small businesses need. Whether you are designing for a boutique hotel, a handmade jewelry shop, or a local café, Ourstory provides a versatile foundation. It avoids the stiffness of geometric sans serifs while steering clear of the overly decorative clutter found in many novelty scripts. For logo design, this means your mark will stand out on a business card just as well as it does on a storefront sign.
Packaging Design and Product Labels with Ourstory
Once the logo direction was approved, the next challenge was packaging. Skincare products live on shelves crowded with competitors, so the typography needs to communicate quality instantly. I moved Ourstory into the packaging design phase, applying it to product labels and box fronts. The font’s clean lines ensured that even at smaller sizes, the text remained crisp and readable.
One of the standout features of Ourstory is how it interacts with negative space. The consistent monolinear weight creates a balanced visual rhythm that guides the viewer’s eye smoothly across the label. I paired it with a minimalist serif font for the body copy (ingredients, instructions) to create a strong hierarchy. The contrast between the elegant, tall display type and the traditional serif added depth to the design, making the package feel curated and high-end. For entrepreneurs and small business owners, this kind of typographic pairing can elevate a simple product into a luxury item, enhancing perceived value without increasing production costs.
Social Media Graphics and Digital Templates
In today’s digital-first world, your brand identity must translate seamlessly to social media. I took our new visual system and applied it to Instagram posts and story templates. Using Ourstory for headlines and quotes created an immediate sense of cohesion. The font’s unique shape acts as a visual anchor, drawing attention in a feed filled with static images and videos.
I particularly enjoyed using the font for short-form text elements, such as call-to-action buttons or highlighted phrases. Because it is a handwritten font with a structured backbone, it adds a human touch to digital assets that can sometimes feel cold or automated. For content creators and marketers, this human element is essential for building trust and engagement. When users see Ourstory in their feeds, they subconsciously associate it with authenticity and care—traits that resonate deeply with audiences seeking genuine connections with brands.
Font Pairing Strategies for Complete Brand Systems
No single typeface can do everything, and Ourstory is no exception. While it excels as a display font, it is not intended for long paragraphs of body text. To build a complete brand identity, you need a reliable partner. During my testing process, I found that Ourstory pairs beautifully with clean, modern sans-serif fonts like Helvetica Now or Inter. The simplicity of the sans-serif allows the complexity and character of Ourstory to take center stage without competition.
Alternatively, for a more editorial or literary vibe, pairing it with a classic serif font works wonders. The contrast between the contemporary, elongated shapes of Ourstory and the timeless elegance of a serif creates a sophisticated tension that is very trendy in current design circles. When selecting fonts for your own projects, always consider the mood you want to convey. If you want energy and modernity, go with a sans-serif. If you want tradition and authority, choose a serif. Both options allow Ourstory to shine as the focal point.
Practical Considerations for Commercial Use
Before committing to any typeface for a commercial project, it is vital to check the technical details. Ourstory comes in a standard set of styles, including regular and bold weights, which provides enough variation for most branding needs. However, always verify the included file formats and licensing terms. For freelancers and agencies, having a robust commercial font license is non-negotiable to protect both you and your client.
I recommend downloading the trial version or testing the font extensively before purchasing. Create mockups, print them out, and view them on different screens. Does the vertical elongation hold up at 10pt? Does the monolinear stroke appear consistent in grayscale? These practical tests ensure that the premium font delivers on its promises across all mediums. By taking the time to evaluate Ourstory thoroughly, you can confidently integrate it into your design assets, knowing it will support your brand’s growth and recognition.
Final Thoughts on Integrating Ourstory Into Your Workflow
Working with Ourstory for the Botanical & Bare project reinforced my belief that the right typography can transform a design from good to great. Its clean, approachable nature makes it suitable for a wide range of industries, from beauty and fashion to food and hospitality. The warm, personal silhouette invites the viewer in, while the consistent, monolinear structure ensures professionalism and polish.
If you are a graphic designer looking to add a touch of elegance and authenticity to your next brand identity project, I highly recommend giving Ourstory a try. It is more than just a display font; it is a tool for storytelling. Whether you are crafting a logo, designing packaging, or creating social media graphics, Ourstory offers the versatility and charm needed to make your brand stand out. Start testing it today, and see how it can bring your creative vision to life.
