The typeface was also originally designed for enhanced readability on-screen. Noto Sans stood out as an option as it already had an extensive set of characters supporting over 800 languages, including many Indigenous languages in Canada. Several typefaces were examined that matched the criteria and a handful of these were tested. A high-quality open-source typeface which included the required characters for this level of support was sought. An open-source license typeface would be ideal because the fonts would also need to be provided to government partners and contractors.Īt the same time, government was concerned about support for multiple languages on our website, and importantly, Indigenous languages.

The fonts also needed to compliment our visual identity typeface, Adobe Myriad Pro. Gov.bc.ca’s new Digital Service Design System needed fonts that could be served along with the website files. While Adobe Myriad Pro has supported the province’s visual brand online for several years, advances in browser and font technology had revealed some inconsistencies. In late 2018 it was determined the text and typography on the gov.bc.ca website needed improvement. You may need to restart your applications before the newly installed font appears. Click “Install Font” at the bottom of the preview window.Double click the unzipped font file and Font Book will open a preview of the font.Right click on the font file and click “Install”.Video instructions for Windows/PC (MP4, 32 MB).Video instructions for Apple/Mac (MP4, 76 MB).Video Instructions: General Keyboard Installation Indigenous Community Specific Keyboards (FirstVoices).BC Sans: General Keyboard for Windows/PC (ZIP, 255 KB).BC Sans: General Keyboard for Apple/Mac (ZIP, 325 KB).BC Sans General Keyboard Layout (PDF, 225 KB).Unicode Programming Support for Developers/Programmers (Github).Font Support for Developers/Programmers (Github).Character Encodings of BC Sans Glyphs (Github).Frequently Asked Questions (PDF, 125 KB).BC Sans Font Set for PRINT (ZIP, 3.7 MB).You can access the font files or supporting resources below. Government workstations, and under an open-font license, BC Sans may be freely distributed and installed on any computer. Gov.bc.ca webpages have already been updated, while those hosted outside are to be updated during maintenance.Īdditionally, the Province is taking steps to include First Nations, Métis and Inuit languages in official government records, including ID, and in systems and services.īC Sans is generally available on B.C. Andrew Pratt, Former GCPE Graphic Communications Director and one of the initial founders of the BC Sans typefaceīC Sans is required for use on all new and current government webpages on gov.bc.ca, as well as government services hosted outside of gov.bc.ca. “BC Sans is a gesture towards bringing reconciliation to life.” Bridget Chase, FirstVoices Development Manager, an initiative of the First Peoples' Cultural Council (FPCC). to develop and adopt this font is an important step towards reconciliation.” This free, open-source font makes it possible for community members and the general public to digitally render all characters used in the 34 First Nations languages of this land. “FPCC was pleased to contribute expertise to the development of BC Sans 2.0, an important technology tool for First Nations in B.C.

Find a way font free download