Helvetica, the film
Ninja March 3rd, 2007
I’m so giddy about the soon-to-be-released indy documentary, Helvetica! Helvetica (the typeface, not the film) will be celebrating it’s 50th birthday this year. Originally created by Max Miedinger to compete with the likes of Akzidenz Grotesk during the height of Swiss typography popularity, this ubiquitous typeface has shown its timelessness. Helvetica is probably the most used typeface today, and it’s applications can be seen everywhere from the BMW logo to the type on the United States Individual Income Tax Return form. Helvetica is also the default face on Macs.
I’ve gone through this love/hate relationship with Helvetica. My anal-retentive side who loves order + cleanliness digs Helvetica (+ most likely has a crush on Jonathan Hoefler). My rebel side is probably giving knowing glances over at Barry Deck. The funny thing is that Helvetica is like water (no, hear me out, now). Water is neutral (PH) and changes it’s form to fit it’s container. Similarly, Helvetica shifts to the context of it’s use. Haha, I just realized that I could have gone the crazy route when I said Helvetica was like water (+ then tacked on “it’s essential to life”). But um, yah, I’m not a Helvetica nut like that.
+ Take the Arial or Helvetica Quiz
+ Trailer + clips from the Helvetica film
+ Helvetica director, Gary Hustwit’s blog
Related posts- Design , Movies , Posts by Ninja , Type
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