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Posted by
Adriane Jewett
|
Labels:
Ikea,
kusocialmedia09,
typography
|
Posted On Thursday, September 3, 2009 at 12:45 PM
It's not often that typography makes it into mainstream news.
Ikea's recent decision to switch from Ikea Sans (a customized version of Futura) to Verdana (a Microsoft typeface) has type enthusiast up in arms.
The Associated Press picked up the story, and you can read about Ikea's fateful decision in major news sources like the New York Times, Time and NPR.
Typography and design blogs and columns have also exploded with their criticism of Ikea's facelift...
Simon Garfield at the Guardian - why society, not just designers, should take note of this change.
Josie Swindler at AOL's ShelterPop - Ikea's response
Damian Joseph at BusinessWeek - impacts Ikea's brand
Typophile - a forum discussion
...just to name a few.
While I don't think the change is catastrophic, I do feel like Ikea's giving into the man...just a little bit. For a company that is internationally known and loved by it's innovative design (and cheap prices) to adopt a Microsoft font seems to go against their company brand. Then again, maybe their company brand is "furniture for the masses," in which case, a Microsoft font fits perfectly.
Ikea's apparent disregarded the font's intended use should also be noted. According to the articles above, Verdana was designed for use on a computer screen. Now, Ikea is printing with it in thousands of catalogs.
One thing's for sure, Ikea can't be too upset about all the free publicity.
That and I'm definitely ordering a copy of Ikea's new catalog. I need to see this bad boy for myself.
As a designer and a typography snob, I love this poster.
I actually love it so much, that, on several occasions, I've considered buying multiple copies. I have dreams of carrying one on my person at all times. Whenever I catch someone using Comic Sans, I'd whip one out, grab a witness and make them sign their typography rights away. I'd line the posters up on my wall to remind myself of all the "almost designers" I'd saved from years of ridicule by the larger design community.
Call it public service.
As an undergraduate, my publication design teacher started the semester by informing us that any use of Comic Sans or Papyrus would guarantee a failing grade. He and I became fast friends.
I know that most people walk by Comic Sans without a second glance. I recently had a conversation with one of my journalism professors that went something like this:
Me (laughing): Have you seen this newsletter? Can you believe they used Comic Sans?
Professor: Used what?
Me (laughter stops abruptly): Comic Sans! You know...the typeface...
Professor (looking at the newsletter): Where?
Me: Nevermind.
If I'm being completely honest, I'm not sure exactly why Comic Sans has such a bed reputation among designers. I think it has to do with its overuse. And that it looks like a cross between the bubble letters you doodle in junior high and your kid sister's handwriting.
Inexperienced designers gravitate toward it like undergraduates to a free meal.
But there's a bigger picture here. We often get so wrapped up in the details of our specialty that molehills become mountains. I know that using Comic Sans won't make the earth stop turning...I don't think. It's just my little way of making the world a better, prettier place.
It's not often that typography makes it into mainstream news.
