Font Freaks Fuming Over Ikea Typeface Change
Font Freaks Fuming Over Ikea Typeface Change
Posted 08/28/2009 at 10:30am
| by Paul Lilly
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Forget about draconian DRM measures, the RIAA's crusade against its customers, increasing spam and security threats, price fixing allegations, or any of that other nonsense. It's one thing to put up with all of that, but how dare home product and furniture store Ikea change its Typeface?
"I thought that something had gone terribly wrong, but when I Twittered about it, people at their ad agency told me that this was actually the new Ikea font," said Mattias Akerberg after he made the startling discovery in his local Swedish newspaper. "I could hardly believe it was true."
Before you criticize Akerberg for overreacting, bear in mind that Ikea has been using a customized version of Futura for longer than some have even been born. But with the company's 2010 catalog, Ikea has made the switch to Verdana, a font Microsoft originally intended to be used on screen, not on paper. What was Ikea thinking?
"It doesn't exhibit any elegance or visual rhythm when set at large sizes," says Simon l'Anson, creative director at Made by Many, a London-based digital consulting company. "It's like taking the family sedan off-road. It will sort of work, but ultimately gets bogged down."
In our opinion, the switch needs no analogy. The horrendous font-swap speaks for itself.
Who are we kidding, it's a font for ____'s sake. Any MPC readers taking serious issue with this? If so, we'd like to hear it. Hit the jump and post your disgust.
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jraktal
September 03, 2009 at 9:06am
a vocal monority who make it their business to think that they know all that is good is advertising will weep tears of blood and call this a tragic event. while the rest of the world just wish they would die already!
I do not think Don Draper of Mad Men would care!
There is no peace at the gate.
deanklotz
August 31, 2009 at 9:39am
Whenever change in design/style occurs, there is always a backlash of some kind. But if the change is well thought, then it will not matter in the end.
I wrote about this subject recently on my blog:
http://deanklotz.com/?p=374
MeTo
August 29, 2009 at 8:49pm
This is something that should be discussed on Flip this house or home and garden or design on a dime not Maximum PC. Smells of paid advertisement.
nekollx
August 31, 2009 at 9:08am
so who paid for the advertisment then? You think Idea is paying a company to post font news when they could say pay for "IKEA makes new computer hutch?"
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johnnyclimber
August 29, 2009 at 7:12am
I have the catalog in front of me. The person who noticed this is most likely a tool (and not the kind of tool who shops at IKEA like myself, more like the tool who posts lots of negative comments all over MPC because he/she has nothing better to do). The reason MPC put this on the site is because it is entertaining and we like to be entertained. It has nothing to do with self promotion. ig no ra mus
dracx619
August 28, 2009 at 2:05pm
only self indulgent, anal, asshat , apple toting graphic designers and typographers would be "offended" by the typeface change. for one, its hardly noticeable, and two, who gives a crap? its legible, big, bold, and works fine....bitch please.
i can already imagine my old graphic design proffessor fuming under his soul patch
n0ctis
August 28, 2009 at 12:49pm
I wanted to say something witty and possibly constructive... but I just cannot get past the laughing. Any time I try, I just laugh myself out of my chair.
________________________________________________________________
.: vires et honos :.
Phosphorous
August 28, 2009 at 12:23pm
If by difference you mean no difference, I totally see the difference.
quicks0rt
August 28, 2009 at 12:07pm
I don't see what the point of this article is. It's not even related to technology. This looks like a poor attempt of self promoting.
orca11
August 28, 2009 at 12:09pm
I don't even see a difference in the numbers... except the 9 in the first ad doesn't much look like the 1 in the second... but then that's kinda the point ;) .
bofarr
August 28, 2009 at 11:18am
I'm a graphic designer and while I understand the criticism I also say who cares. Ikea is not exactly a bastion of tasteful and elegant design in the first place...
Trooper_One
August 28, 2009 at 11:01am
This absurd discussion on font style is best left to graphic design 'artists' with the phony BFA degrees... It'll keep them busy with their stylish Macs, iPods and iPhones...
B.A.Frayd
August 28, 2009 at 10:59am
It looks exactly the same. I suggest the man who twittered this kill himself.
COMMANDER_COOK
August 28, 2009 at 2:14pm
Don't say that! He might actually do it and blame it on you.
lien_meat
August 28, 2009 at 10:57am
Maybe I'm visually impared or something, but I don't see how it's any better or worse one way or another. Really, I'm not joking. I would have noticed the layout of the title (with 2010 on the side) WAY before I would have noticed a font difference.
### I'm an idiot, and I approve this message ###
BDDave
August 28, 2009 at 10:50am
Looks just fine to me, I doubt the company will see any sales loss as a result of a catalog most don't see anyway. I walk through the store not the front page of a catalog. ""I thought that something had gone terribly wrong, but when I twittered about it..." Twittered?!?! Wow, this guy needs a new hobby or even better the latest issue of MaxiumPC!
Dave
nekollx
August 28, 2009 at 10:44am
is the difference the little tildes?
------------------------------
Coming soon to Lulu.com --Tokusatsu Heroes--
Five teenagers, one alien ghost, a robot, and the fate of the world.
winmaster
August 28, 2009 at 10:30am
They could be using Wingdings.
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The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
1337Goose
August 28, 2009 at 10:39am
I snorted Pepsi Cola out of my nose when I read your comment.
Hilarious.
~Goose
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