Helvetica to be legislated against
In a sketchy press release that we got this morning, it appears that certain weights of Helvetica are to be legislated against by the bureaucrats at the EU. Citing that light and ultra-light weights of the font can appear un-readable in certain circumstances, they have set out a new directive that states that all public places must refrain from using Helvetica 25-35-45 (and associated faces) in anything that is deemed ‘public-facing’. This could see anything from restaurant menus being hastily redesigned to the creation of new identities for companies such as Orange and Vision Express. Expect an appeal to be lodged, but failing that expect design agencies to be very busy!
15 Responses to this post
admin
April 1st 2009
Heh heh! You’re right, I would imagine that design agencies would initially be seething, but that would soon be replaced with glee when seeing the amount of work they’d be getting.
Bungers
April 1st 2009
It’s political correctness, gone mad! Curse you EU bureaucrats!
Bob
April 1st 2009
All this madness, and they do nothing about Comic Sans??!!
Happy April Fools Dan!
Bob
admin
April 1st 2009
Ahh, Comic Sans. That really should be ruled as being offensive! I liked that Jim@Fleuron was going to do a Comic Serif april fool, but that font really exists! Also, FFF’s effort today which embraced Comic Sans really was super. Happy April Fools Bob! 
Delicious Industries
April 1st 2009
I read this in my half asleep state this morning and was horrified, until I noticed the date at the bottom Great April Fool. Have a good day!
james mason
April 1st 2009
if only restraunt menus did use helvetica. I might be able to read them better
elfinamsterdam
April 1st 2009
Thanks so much, totally horrified my girl with this. She’s a Helvetica worshiper.
Best April Fools!!
admin
April 1st 2009
@elfinamsterdam That’s terrific! I didn’t think many people would fall for it, but it seems a few have. Glad you had fun with it!
elfinamsterdam
April 1st 2009
well I think its cause she knows I haven’t a clue about typefaces but I do know about EU Legislation …. plus I only sent her the text…. then the link….
Ps I re-posted (with credit) on my blog… hope thats ok
premierbakedbeanbrand
April 1st 2009
Good. Ban it all not just certain weights. It’s weak. If the EU had real power they’d and people should be. That’d learn them. And companies that didn’t like the change should be stripped of all assets and the money donated to help Europe by-out a failing America… It could be re-branded, like the old First Division. And Australia could be seen as a Blue Square style feeder league.
If only Gordon had a spine and joined the U.K up with Europe properly. Then maybe real typefaces would shine brightly on our streets.
admin
April 1st 2009
That’s almost the best comment that has ever been left on here. It still doesn’t beat the chap who asked how much those igloos were though. I doff my cap anyway!
