(x) IKEA version of Futura - proprietary {Geoff}

adam baker27 March 2006 · 19:29

Hi There. First time post.

I'm looking for the variant of Futura that IKEA is currently using. The closest one I have found is Elsner+Flake Futura New (which I can't even find for purchase anywhere, but did find on Identifont).

It's similar to that, and EF Futura 6 Heavy, with some differences. In general, the differences that I have noted between most versions of Futura and the IKEA 2005 catalog version (Heavy/Bold weight) are:

In the IKEA version...

$ has line through entire glyph
S and $ shaped more like S from Avenir
j curved *unlike* E+F New, but *like* most editions of Futura
1 has angled serif
M and W have flat spurs
, " are rounded
e has angled tail even in Bold weight
m and n are slightly less "symmetrical"

Any thoughts would be most appreciated. Thanks!

dave bailey27 March 2006 · 19:53

Maybe it's a customized Futura, used only by IKEA? As in, you can't buy it.

Geoff Riding27 March 2006 · 20:02

Definitely a properity typeface, it's mentioned here that Robin Nicholas (Arial) designed "weights of a geometric sans face" specially for IKEA, I guess that was Futura.

dave bailey27 March 2006 · 20:06

sigh...I always pictured you guys to be cooler looking than that guy. :-P

Bald Condensed27 March 2006 · 23:17

Damn straight. ;^)

Miguel Sousa28 March 2006 · 01:32

Yep, it's called IKEA Sans. From their PDF catalogue:

Lah10 September 2009 · 02:57

"IKEA Sans" is a corporate typeface that was designed for IKEA by Stockholm Design Lab in 2000 to better meet the demands of packaging design and signage, than the previously used "Futura" typeface. It was later implemented on all communication for IKEA.

Type specimens:
http://www.stockholmdesignlab.se/#/1112/library/clients/ikea/ikea/

Lars, Stockholm Design Lab

Jan Erdmann10 September 2009 · 03:15

IKEA Sans

R.I.P.

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