Dubai Font: Sheikh Hamdan unveils Microsoft’s first font to be created for a city

The Crown Prince of Dubai has told government institutions in the emirate to use the new font in all correspondence from now on.

The Dubai Font, the first typeface developed by Microsoft for Dubai, will be available to more than 100 million users in Arab and Latin script. AFP

DUBAI // Microsoft’s first typeface to be created for a city – called Dubai Font – was on Sunday launched by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, the emirate’s Crown Prince.

And Sheikh Hamdan has told government departments to use the new font in all correspondence from now on.

“The launch of the Dubai Font to the world is a very important step for us as part of our continuous efforts to be ranked first in the digital world,” he said.

“We are confident that this new font and its unique specifications will prove popular online and in smart technologies across the world. Therefore, we urge all government entities to use the Dubai Font in their official correspondence.

“This is considered a positive shift that will boost the emirate’s competitiveness in smart technology.”

سمو الشيخ حمدان بن محمد بن راشد آل مكتوم يطلق #خط_دبي إلى العالم، والمستوحى من القيم التي تميز الإمارة و تلهم أهلها وزوّارها. #عبّر_عن_نفسك pic.twitter.com/uCBHXnOKnX

Sheikh Hamdan, who oversaw all stages of the font’s development, congratulated everyone who contributed to the initiative, saying it was a new tool for a more tolerant and happy world.

Abdulla Al Shaibani, Secretary General of the Executive Council of Dubai, said the font was the emirate’s new and innovative mark in the digital world, and one that built a knowledge bridge between the East and West.

“The Dubai Font sets itself apart from other fonts because it was designed based on the main pillars that have turned Dubai into a remarkable symbol of success and tolerance,” Mr Al Shaibani said.

“It was simultaneously designed in both Arabic and English, which was later extended to include 21 other languages.”

Samer Abu Ltaif, president of Microsoft in the Middle East and Africa, said that Dubai Font would be available globally to more than 100 million users.

“The debut of this font is a great example of successful collaborations between the public and private sectors to encourage reading and adopt more technical solutions to serve the communities,” Mr Abu Ltaif said.

Dubai Font was designed by Dr Nadine Chahine in collaboration with a team from a global agency, Monotype. It fills a design gap between Arabic and Latin texts and presents harmonious typefaces combining the two.

“The openness and harmony of the people in the UAE, the essence of Dubai and its vision to become the quintessential modern Arab city were our source of inspiration to design the Dubai Font,” said Dr Chahine, type director at Monotype.

“The challenge wasn’t to create a quality font but to create a new and a special medium of expression to unleash ambitions and transcend borders.”

To download the font, visit dubaifont.com.