Ikea defends new typeface
2009-08-31 09:16
Stockholm - Ikea, the Swedish furniture chain, says it never expected such a backlash after switching typeface in its new catalogue.
The catalogue - which the company advertises as the world's most printed book - was distributed last month. Changing font from Futura to Verdana sparked a worldwide reaction on the internet.
"We're surprised," says Ikea spokesperson Camilla Meiby. "But I think it's mainly experts who have expressed their views, people who are interested in fonts. I don't think the broad public is that interested."
Verdana was invented by Microsoft for use on a computer screen, not on paper.
Ikea said on Sunday that in order to reach many people in many different ways, it needed a font that works in both digital and print media, in all media and languages.
Ikea has 246 stores selling inexpensive but stylish furnishings globally and around 140 000 staff members.
- AP
