Israel launches 'extensive strikes' on Gaza with at least 220 killed    Mexico arrests alleged MS-13 leader on FBI's most wanted list    Lebanon and Syria agree to ceasefire after cross-border attacks kill 10    Germany set to vote on historic increase in defense spending    Over 10 million iftar meals served at Two Holy Mosques during first half of Ramadan    421,144 worshipers use electric golf carts at Grand Mosque during Ramadan    Yemeni man and woman arrested for misusing children for begging in Makkah    NCM forecast: Thunderstorms to hit most Saudi regions until Sunday    Princess Reema bint Bandar greets Saudi Special Olympics team in Jeddah    stc group is the third-strongest telecom brand worldwide    AFC Champions League Elite Finals draw sets stage for Jeddah showdown    Cannes award-winning actress Dequenne dies at 43    Saudi Arabia grants Tier 1 cybersecurity licenses to six MSOC providers    Newcastle United ends 70-year wait for domestic glory with Carabao Cup triumph    Saudi Arabia's inflation rate keeps steady at 2% in February    Saudi Arabia launches loan guarantees for SMEs to stimulate investment in environmental projects    Antenna: Saudi artist Ahmed Mater opens first solo exhibition in China    Al Nassr climbs to third with dominant win over Al Khaleej, Al Qadsiah slips after loss to Damac    Grand Mufti rules against posting prayers and preaching in mosques on social media    Man lives for 100 days with titanium heart in successful new trial    Singer Wheesung who wooed Korea with his ballads, found dead at 43    King Salman prays for peace and stability for Palestinians in Ramadan message King reaffirms Saudi Arabia's commitment to serving the Two Holy Mosques and pilgrims    Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan 'out of danger' after attack at home in Mumbai    Order vs. Morality: Lessons from New York's 1977 Blackout    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







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What's wrong with the new Ikea catalog?
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 02 - 09 - 2009

Ikea, the Swedish furniture chain, said Sunday it never expected such a backlash after switching typeface in its latest catalog.
The company's decision to make its first such font change in 50 years - from the iconic Futura typeface to the Verdana one - has caused a worldwide reaction on the Internet. The catalog, which the company advertises as the world's most printed book, was distributed last month.
“We're surprised,” said Ikea spokeswoman 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. Its wide, open letters with space between characters are designed to increase legibility on small computer screens.
Ikea said that in order to reach many people in many different ways, it needed a font that works in both digital and print media.
“Verdana is a simple, cost-effective font which works well in all media and languages,” Meiby said.
But some Ikea fans were outraged, finding Verdana less elegant than Futura.
The online forum Typophile ended its first post with the words, “It's a sad day.” A week ago, Romanian design consultant Marius Ursache started an online petition called “Ikea, please get rid of Verdana.” On Sunday, the campaign had more than 2,700 signatures.
The move to a simple, modern-looking font also fueled Twitter posts such as “Ikea, stop the Verdana madness” and “Words can't describe my disgust.” Swedish art director Christoph Comstedt disagreed.
“I don't think the average consumer will react, maybe people in the advertising business,” Comstedt said.
Ikea has 246 stores selling inexpensive but stylish furnishings globally and around 140,000 staff members.


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