After the eco-friendly alternatives to paper and ink were created (see for example the paper used for President's Obama Inauguration), it was only a question of time before we'll reach the next level - eco-friendly font. And this time has finally arrived!
I was very happy to read an update on Springwise newsletter about the new Ecofont.
This innovative font was developed by the Dutch creative communications agency SPRANQ, which was looking for ways to reduce the environmental costs of printing. SPRANQ found out after extensive testing with all kinds of shapes that the best results were achieved using small circles.
Their idea came from the no other than cheese design, and as they explain "after Dutch holey cheese, there now is a Dutch font with holes as well." The new font according to SPRANQ uses up to 20% less ink. Very impressive!
Gerjon Zomer, the co-founder of SPRANQ, told AP that the font isn't beautiful, but it could be adequate for personal use or for internal use at a company. I actually really liked the font and I think that Zomer will be surprised eventually how many will use it especially when it's free to download and free to use.
AP also reported that SPRANQ is inviting developers to improve the Ecofont further under a free, open-source model, and Zomer says Arabic and Hebrew versions are already under development. As someone who also writes in Hebrew I'll be waiting for it!
Kudos to SPRANQ for their innovative idea. This is a great example of how small and simple ideas can create a win-win model, helping you to support the environment while saving money.
For more information please check Ecofont's website at www.ecofont.eu.
Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris
www.ecolibris.net
