Helvetica – The Quintessential Typeface
Since I’ve been designing, “Helvetica”, has probably been my favourite typeface. And I know I’m not alone with my opinion. “Helvetica” has been a staple in advertising, design, and street signage for the past 50 years. And after watching the documentary “Helvetica”, directed by Gary Hustwit, it has enlightened me on how significant this typeface actually is.
Created in 1957, by Max Miedinger and Eduard Hoffmann, Helvetica was first called Neue Hass Grotesk. The idea behind the name came from the word “Helvetia”, which is Latin for Switzerland. But seeing as this typeface was intended to be sold in America, “Helvetica” was considered more marketable.
Helvetica is now one of the most widely used typefaces in the world, being used in some of the most popular logos and is also default on Apple computers. Its used on road signs, extensively in advertising campaigns, even on shop windows.
What makes it so special is its simplicity. does not scream for attention, and perhaps that is why its so popular. It doesn’t require effort to read it, nor is it expressive. Massimo Vignelli puts it well in “Helvetica”
You can say, “I love you,” in Helvetica. And you can say it with Helvetica Extra Light if you want to be really fancy. Or you can say it with the Extra Bold if it’s really intensive and passionate, you know, and it might work.
When designing this blog, I didnt have to juggle typefaces for hours to find the perfect one, because there is Helvetica (look at the headers). Therein lies the problem with it. Its so neutral that people are applying it to anything they do. It does seem like a never-ending trend. It was popular in the 60’s and is still as popular today. There are not many truly great typefaces, and so people turn to the one they know so well. Its saddening but true, some potentially great designs out there are out there in the sea of neutrality, simply because of the fact they use Helvetica.
But don’t let me discourage you from watching this truly excellent film.
IMDB Link http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0847817/
Trailer
