Instagram Has Been Trolling Design Nerds With A Hidden Papyrus Font, It Seems
By Mikelle Leow, 28 Feb 2022
Screenshot via Instagram on iOS
Riddled with the same notoriety as Comic Sans is arguably Papyrus, the typeface used in the Avatar logo and the very same one ridiculed by Ryan Gosling in an epic SNL sketch, in which he played a graphic designer.
Someone at Instagram must have had a kick out of the effect these typefaces have on people. Not only was a Comic Sans-like font introduced in Stories in 2020, but there’s also Papyrus tucked beneath the surface of the feature. The way to unlock it is truly one for typography nerds. As discovered by Pedestrian and Mashable last September, the Easter egg is hidden under the polarizing Comic Sans-like font. You invoke the beast by calling (typing) its name: “Papyrus.”
The feature seems to only be accessible on iOS. After tapping the plus icon on the top-right corner of your main feed and choosing ‘Story’, begin to craft a Story by uploading a photo or composing a message.
Then, tap on the ‘Aa’ icon and look for the Comic Sans-like font. Select that, no matter how badly you don’t want to, and enter “Papyrus” with your keyboard.
The font automatically switches to Papyrus, and you can then delete your text to compose a new sentence.
Papyrus was designed by Chris Costello, then 23 years old and fresh out of college, in 1982. Facing a difficult time, he turned to the Bible and quickly got the idea of creating a typeface that spoke of ancient times. To this day, Costello has faith that he designed a great font.
@chijieugimbap open ig story â«ï¸ choose comic sans font â«ï¸enter keyword “papyrus”â«ï¸delete the word and it will became the font automatically ð #fyp #igstoryhack
⬠original sound - MONEYHEIST_ - _MONEYHEIST
[via Mashable and Pedestrian, screenshot via Instagram on iOS]