Microsoft has announced that it is changing its default font for the first time in over 15 years. The new font, named Aptos, was created by type designer Steve Matteson and is inspired by his favorite unincorporated town in Santa Cruz, California. Microsoft stated that the town’s widely ranging landscape and climate epitomize the font’s versatility.
Aptos, which is an Ohlone word meaning “the people,” is designed to be easily readable and features simpler letters with fewer flourishes. It is a sans serif font made of varying geometric shapes, making it suitable for different languages and easy to read on today’s electronic devices.
Matteson drew inspiration from the natural beauty of Aptos, including the fog, beaches, redwood trees, and mountains. He wanted the font to evoke the outdoors and the feeling
What are the key design features of the new Microsoft default font, Aptos, that make it suitable for various languages and electronic devices?
Microsoft has recently made an exciting announcement, revealing that it will be introducing a new default font for the first time in more than 15 years. The font, called Aptos, has been expertly crafted by type designer Steve Matteson and draws inspiration from his beloved unincorporated town in Santa Cruz, California. Microsoft believes that Aptos exemplifies versatility, mirroring the town’s diverse landscape and climate.
Derived from the Ohlone language, Aptos translates to “the people,” and has been meticulously designed with legibility in mind. The font boasts simple letterforms, devoid of excessive embellishments, making it easily readable. Aptos is a sans serif font, composed of a range of geometric shapes, rendering it suitable for various languages and effortlessly viewable on today’s electronic devices.
Steve Matteson sought inspiration from Aptos’ natural allure, finding creative influence in its foggy atmosphere, picturesque beaches, majestic redwood trees, and towering mountains. By harnessing these elements, Matteson aimed to imbue the font with a sense of the great outdoors, creating a more engaging experience for users. It is worth noting that only the part of the font which is visible on the front end and rendered in the HTML will be modified, ensuring that HTML tags remain unaffected.
With its undeniable readability and captivating design features, Aptos is set to revolutionize Microsoft’s default font and enhance the user experience across various applications and platforms.
I am genuinely thrilled to see Microsoft drawing inspiration from Santa Cruz’s diverse landscape and climate for their new default font, Aptos. This appreciation for the natural beauty of a region creates a unique connection between technology and the world we live in. It’s inspiring to witness how design can be influenced by the beauty of our surroundings.