> I’ve been given Apple’s Chalkboard typeface to research.

Good to hear that Aussie graphic design teachers haven't lost their sense of humor.

As you're unlikely to get much information on its design you might want to take a look at the relationship between it and other similar typefaces.

Cheers, Si

From Identifont, here are fonts similar to Chalkboard.

Because of course researching MS Sans Serif wouldn’t be risible at all. The true tale of Chalkboard needs to be told.

—
Joe Clark
http://joeclark.org/

Actually I think there's probably enough material around Microsoft Sans Serif to write a pretty entertaining article. For example the chap who designed it is currently the minority owner of the Seattle Mariners baseball team.

Tim, Chalkboard is an homage to the hugely successful Comic Sans.

This kind of plagiarism is legal in North America, as there is apparently no "point piracy" involved (but you could do a comparison of physical parameters). Technically it may be illegal in Europe.

No self-respecting type foundry or designer would put their name to it, but Big Silicon can publish this font without damaging its reputation; Apple has no qualms about doing to Microsoft what Microsoft has done several times to others, most notoriously its copy of Palatino.
Also, there is no general outrage, because Comic Sans is a much despised face--so again, there is a double standard.
The fact that this is a free (bundled) font may also effect the optics, further lessening the stigma.

However, despite Comic Sans and Chalkboard being "infra dig" with professional designers, Chalkboard has never acquired the cachet of Comic Sans, even amongst Mac users. The why of this may be worth pursuing; is it not as good a design, or does being a sequel to a well established face prejudice against it aesthetically?

"Infra dig".... I didn't know that phrase. Thanks Nick, it's useful.

Comic Sans is a punk rock typeface.

Never mind the Bollocks 'Nothing winds em up like a good old Comic Sans'

http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/shows/georgelamb/

That saying has been mixed into 3 rave songs from today's BBC 6 Music George Lamb show taken from tuesday 11 Aug 09 broadcast. Today's podcast isn't live yet but will be soon.

Comic Sans is the font of the people.

pbc