Post-‘North Philly’ font snafu, Easton design shop made a ‘Soda Tax’ typeface

After its blight-inspired font called “North Philly” sparked some heat on social media, Easton, Pa.-based design shop Cliff Ross is back at it again with a new slate of six Philly inspired fonts.

Citing “overwhelming popular demand,” the agency put out a press release announcing the new fonts named after neighborhoods like Bella Vista and spots like Federal Street and the Schuylkill Expressway.

But the undisputed standout in this latest crop of designs is a font called “Soda Tax” which, per a company’s statement, is meant to be taken lightly.

“It’s a quirky font inspired by the shape of a soda can,” the company stated in a press release. “The typeface isn’t meant to be a statement for or against the issue at all. It was created solely in the spirit of fun.”

Despite the boilerplate statement, will “Soda Tax” spark a similar backlash from Philly Twitter? We’re very curious to see if the far-too-evident marketing ploy will work. After all, clicks are clicks. And maybe some of those clicks will lead to business for the firm, which also has an office near Fairmount.

The agency has also opened up the field for the audience to suggest neighborhoods that will inspire an upcoming group of fonts called “The People’s Collection.” You can select from a list or write in your candidates.

Your move, PHLOpenType.