Tell Us How You Really Feel

Type fanatics the world over seem to have gotten themselves into a tizzy over IKEA's decision to abandon their "Ikea Sans" typeface (a customized version of Futura) and implement Verdana, universally, on their web and print materials.

Now, I am a type fanatic, but I'm going to have to admit: I knew it was a face intended for screen purposes, but I hadn't realized that Verdana had become such a blight on design society. Sure, we know about Papyus (boo, hiss) and Comic Sans (screeeeeeeeeeeee), but Verdana? Causing this kind of hatred, outrage, uproar and even the creation of one of those dreaded and all-powerful Let's All Join this Group 'Cause My Friends Did and It Might Make Me Look Cool Facebook Group? Really?

Okay, sure, it's not the most strategic branding move:

The company has its own brand typeface that's served them well for decades, so swapping for something so generic is a bit bizarre. I'm sure that they have enough in their budget to have commissioned the creation of an updated character set - though, apparently, their decision was heavily impacted by their desire to be able to use the same typeface both in print and on the web. I'll say it again though - their branding has served them quite well for decades, so why they felt the need to make this change now is a bit strange. There are ways around non-web friendly type - and most branded companies aren't using those faces for every aspect of their brand - just the big stuff, you know?

Additionally... it looks like crap. Listen, I don't mind Verdana on screen... but in print? Well... here's a side-by-side comparison of their 2009 and 2010 catalogues (click the photo for a larger version and article):

The old standard just... comes together a bit better than the new. Verdana is one of those simpler fonts, you know? Kind of like that one friend in the group... the one you think is very nice, but who you're sure is also mildly retarded? Kind of like that. It means well, but there are just certain things it cannot do - for example: be used in print.

All of that said... I still don't get why it's sparking such massive anger and disgust. I mean, with some of the reactions I've read, you'd think IKEA had decided to start using Papyrus on everything. Imagine that, people. It could be much worse.

Also... it's IKEA. I mean... does that really impact your day to day that much? Are you subbing ikea.com for your daily porno fix? Are you going to tear all your hair out and kill the mailman in a fit of rage when the catalogue comes? Or spontaneously vomit every time you enter one of their stores? There have been much more unfortunate design foibles in recent branding history (Duane Reade's rebranding comes to mind, as does the Tropicana packaging fiasco). I suppose, if Tropicana is any indication, anything can happen - maybe the Facebook flock will swoop in and restore Ikea Sans to its rightful place in the stack of catalogues you keep by the toilet. Honestly, though, why not just go do your shopping and choke back the vom - this one's really not worth the clean up on aisle five.