It seems to me that I've been noticing retro-looking fonts on TV lately, like the one for the title on the series "Knights of Prosperity" and I think also on the Toyota Yaris commercial.

Have you noticed a trend in this?

Retro's always in for me at least. I can't really say if it's used in TV more or less lately.. typically retro, distorted, or fancy fonts are avoided in TV because they have such a short time in front of the audience's eyeballs. If a font's too complicated the viewer spends a few more milliseconds processing each letter and the ad loses it's impact.

Magazine ads on the other hand seem to have gotten increasingly 'wild' in their font choices, if you have a clever visual gimmick or gag the magazine reader will have the time to read the whole ad and absorb it.. if you're interested in an ad or article layout you can take all day with the magazine in your hand.

I saw some very nostalgic fonts and artwork on the gallery section of the "Yes at The House of Blues" DVD. There are images of vintage posters dating back to the late sixties.

I've also seen some great retro rock band posters for sale online.

By the way, I wonder what the licensing terms were for the band Chicago's logo? It has lasted decades.

I don't think it's so much of a trend, as it is a niche that they're working with. You wouldn't use a digital font if you were casting a Pans Labyrinth's sub titles.

Or would you...

Speaking of retro, I'd like to know how the yellow "happy face" stickers of the 70s evolved into the smilies we have here?

Interesting (about the smilies). I never really thought of it but the smiley face has evolved and become part of internet language.....hmm....very interesting.

Taggart, I agree. I've noticed more retro lately in fonts. I don't think it's limited to fonts though. Looks at the clothes out there! The 70s are gone. You can't bring em back.

Some retro fonts are nice as long as they are readable.

I use to try use retro but during the time I was using it, no one was really feeling the idea. But after I left it alone, everyone else seems to want to jump on it. I don't understand.

I think retro is being used way too much personally. Every where I turn, I'm seeing it.

The smiley use on the internet is an interesting idea. I think it must have come about from generations growing up with the smiley face being used more and more until the internet generation became used to it to the point that it became part of culture.

I haven't noticed a huge trend in retro fonts coming back but there will always be elements of pastiche being put into any form of art and the ads you mentioned are just playing into that.