Microsoft has announced that it will be changing its standard font in its software, which will have a significant impact on computer typing. Currently, many users stick with the preset font, but with this change, hundreds of millions of users will see a new font called Aptos in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
This change comes as the successor to the Calibri font, which has been the default font for Microsoft for 15 years. To find the new font, Microsoft conducted a lengthy search process involving input from the public. They commissioned five fonts specifically for this purpose: Bierstadt, Grandview, Seaford, Skeena, and Tenorite. Users were asked for feedback on social media, and Bierstadt emerged as the crowd favorite.
However, the font designer, Steve Matteson, decided to change the name of his font to Aptos, which is the name of his favorite city in Santa Cruz, California. The name Bierstadt will still be retained in the drop-down menu for continuity. Aptos is based on Swiss typography from the mid-20th century and is a sans serif type, which means it has simple letterforms and even strokes, making it easy to read. The font is designed to improve legibility, especially at small sizes.
Steve Matteson, the font designer for Aptos, is also responsible for Segoe, which was introduced as the default font for Windows Vista. Microsoft’s decision to change the font is a significant move that will impact the way users perceive and interact with their software.
