5 ms·

Am I the only one that wishes the article about the font "made for screens" went into more detail about what makes this specific font better for screens?

signal11 7y ago
Verdana is a great example of a font designed for low-resolution screens[1]. What’s interesting is that Ikea chose to use Verdana for many of their print & in-store display material[2]. To me it looks a bit blocky and unfinished, which actually is a not a bad look for Ikea. [1] https://www.moma.org/collection/works/139312 https://www.moma.org/collection/works/139312 [2] https://www.google.com/search?q=ikea+verdana&rlz=1CDGOYI_enGB753GB753&oq=ikea+&aqs=chrome.2.69i59l3j69i65l3.3950j0j4&hl=en-GB&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8#imgrc=6GfxrxXVJlsrRM https://www.google.com/search?q=ikea+verdana&rlz=1CDGOYI_enG...:
- manspeterson 7y ago
  According to a font designer that was commissioned to design a custom font for IKEA, they decided to go with Verdana after all due to bad webfont support at the time. (They wanted to be consistent online and in-store.) With that said, I share your opinion on Verdana and that can definitely have played a role in their decision.
- dmix 7y ago
  Verdana has great number designs. Each is very distinct and readable. Especially when large like how IKEA used it.
sevencolors 7y ago
I'd imagine they didn't because it was more about the timeline and process of creating it? They did touch on briefly about why he wanted to create it. > We'd used Roboto as our main font, and we were running up against its limitations. It was originally built to work as both a display typeface for things like titles and text typeface for longer blocks of text like paragraphs. But it was difficult to read Roboto when it was small Emphasis mine
rasmusfabbe 7y ago
Hello, I’m Rasmus. I’d love to dig deeper into these subjects — the details into rasterization and realities of layout engines (or “shapers”) that are out there. Perhaps in another interview or article :–)
- panda88888 7y ago
  Look forward to it. Please do submit to HN if you ever do another interview diving into the details!
t34543 7y ago
I share the same sentiment. I’ve got a terrible eye for design and I don’t have the slightest idea about fonts. Articles like this remind me of my gaps and I’d love to pick up some knowledge.

signal11 7y ago

Verdana is a great example of a font designed for low-resolution screens[1]. What’s interesting is that Ikea chose to use Verdana for many of their print & in-store display material[2]. To me it looks a bit blocky and unfinished, which actually is a not a bad look for Ikea. [1] https://www.moma.org/collection/works/139312 https://www.moma.org/collection/works/139312 [2] https://www.google.com/search?q=ikea+verdana&rlz=1CDGOYI_enGB753GB753&oq=ikea+&aqs=chrome.2.69i59l3j69i65l3.3950j0j4&hl=en-GB&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8#imgrc=6GfxrxXVJlsrRM https://www.google.com/search?q=ikea+verdana&rlz=1CDGOYI_enG...:

manspeterson 7y ago
According to a font designer that was commissioned to design a custom font for IKEA, they decided to go with Verdana after all due to bad webfont support at the time. (They wanted to be consistent online and in-store.) With that said, I share your opinion on Verdana and that can definitely have played a role in their decision.
dmix 7y ago
Verdana has great number designs. Each is very distinct and readable. Especially when large like how IKEA used it.

sevencolors 7y ago

I'd imagine they didn't because it was more about the timeline and process of creating it? They did touch on briefly about why he wanted to create it. > We'd used Roboto as our main font, and we were running up against its limitations. It was originally built to work as both a display typeface for things like titles and text typeface for longer blocks of text like paragraphs. But it was difficult to read Roboto when it was small Emphasis mine

rasmusfabbe 7y ago

Hello, I’m Rasmus. I’d love to dig deeper into these subjects — the details into rasterization and realities of layout engines (or “shapers”) that are out there. Perhaps in another interview or article :–)

panda88888 7y ago
Look forward to it. Please do submit to HN if you ever do another interview diving into the details!

t34543 7y ago

I share the same sentiment. I’ve got a terrible eye for design and I don’t have the slightest idea about fonts. Articles like this remind me of my gaps and I’d love to pick up some knowledge.