Google Plays With Helvetica, Comic Sans For April Fools' 2011 Gag

Google is getting funny with fonts in honor of April Fools' day.

The search engine has pulled out a slew of pranks, from launching Gmail Motion to posting notice of its need for an autocompleter.

It's also playing fast and loose with fonts in a gag that's sure to please typography buffs: Google Helvetica, and you'll see a page of search results that appear entirely in Comic Sans. Search for Comic Sans, and the results are all in Comic Sans.

Note that Googling Wingdings or Courier doesn't produce the same results......

Helvetica DVD

If you haven't been lucky enough to catch a screening, you'll soon be able to learn all about your favorite typeface with the Helvetica DVD ($20; Nov. 6). In addition to the 80-minute film, you'll get over 90 minutes of additional interviews with typography and visual culture gurus. If you really love your fonts, there's also a limited edition package, with letterpressed mini-posters, a signed C-print, a letter of actual Helvetica metal type, and more.............