A Closer Look at the Fonts That Nike Designed for the 2014 World Cup

Learn more about Nike's process of creating unique typefaces for your favorite soccer teams.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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In case you hadn't noticed, a lot of the teams in the 2014 World Cup are rocking new kits designed by Nike. Of course, you can't have a new jersey and shorts without a fresh and exciting typeface that fans can see from way up in the bleachers. Designboom spoke with Nike Football design director Stu Mcarthur about collaborating with typographers, choosing which font would be used for each team, FIFA typeface regulations, and other steps in the design process.

"We design unique fonts for the best Nike teams as an extension of the ‘pride’ elements of each kit design," Mcarthur told Designboom. "The fonts are created with a focus of being culturally relevant, as well as playing a role in completing the kit’s overall design." Also in the vein of national pride, Nike brought in British typographer Neville Brody to work on the England's typeface and Wim Crouwel to help with the Dutch typeface. "In the case of the Dutch typeface we followed Wim’s Modernist typography rules," said Mcarthur. He added that they paid close attention to "spacing letter shapes purely to be legible while also creating a modern look. 

To learn more about the individual designs for Brazil, France, Portugal, Team USA, and others, click through to the Designboom interview.

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[via Designboom]

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