Helvetica - Notes (Lab)
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Helvetica Year: 2007 Director: Gary Hustwit I think this film is both informational and promotional -- on one hand, it is informative, in that you learn about the history of Helvetica, its uses, and people’s opinions on the type; however, on the other hand, it is also promotional as it discusses tries to highlight the brilliance and beauty behind the type. It talks about how Helvetica is extremely versatile, with many different personalities -- you can say “I love you” in regular, light, or bold, and convey three di fferent meanings. However, some type artists feel that Helvetica is outdated, overused, and ubiquitous. This film is aimed at graphic designers, as the people interviewed and featured in the film are leading graphic/type designers. Other people may not find the film to be as interesting. Some of the interviewees go into deep discussions about font design that people who have no background in graphic design would not be able to understand. Some of the statements made by the interviewees also made mention of the differences between graphic designers and people who don’t notice typeface, for example, one person talks about how his sister remembers a place as the laundromat, and he remembers it as the place with the ugly letters on its sign. As such, I don’t thi nk this documentary is necessarily intended to be viewed by everyone, especially because some people couldn’t care less about typefaces. Typeface is relevant to every project we do that involves text -- good typeface selection is not only important in producing a visually-pleasing product, but it is also important because different typefaces convey different ideas. Choosing a typeface is like “casting an actor in a movie.” Typeface is important, whether we’re creating a business card, making a sign/banner, writing a letter, or turning in an essay. Helvetica is a huge part of our lives because the typeface is used everywhere -- many companies feel that the typeface makes them seem professional, accessible and accountable, due to its smoothness and other aesthetically-pleasing features. Some type artists say that it invites “open interpretation”, because it doesn’t have one meaning attached to it. Others say that it’s used too often to be able to convey any sort of unique message -- rather, it’s just a safe typeface to use because it’s a typical and acceptable way of saying that you’re “modern.” They say that it’s too routine, and there’s a need for change. I would use Helvetica in my projects, depending on the audience. If my audience does not contain graphic designers, then they probably would not notice what font it is, only that it looks clean, smooth, professional.
Transcript of Helvetica - Notes (Lab)
7/27/2019 Helvetica - Notes (Lab)
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HelveticaYear: 2007Director: Gary Hustwit
I think this film is both informational and promotional -- on one hand, it isinformative, in that you learn about the history of Helvetica, its uses, and people’sopinions on the type; however, on the other hand, it is also promotional as itdiscusses tries to highlight the brilliance and beauty behind the type. It talksabout how Helvetica is extremely versatile, with many different personalities --you can say “I love you” in regular, light, or bold, and convey three di fferentmeanings. However, some type artists feel that Helvetica is outdated, overused,and ubiquitous.
This film is aimed at graphic designers, as the people interviewed and featured inthe film are leading graphic/type designers. Other people may not find the film tobe as interesting. Some of the interviewees go into deep discussions about font
design that people who have no background in graphic design would not be ableto understand. Some of the statements made by the interviewees also mademention of the differences between graphic designers and people who don’tnotice typeface, for example, one person talks about how his sister remembers aplace as the laundromat, and he remembers it as the place with the ugly letterson its sign. As such, I don’t think this documentary is necessarily intended to beviewed by everyone, especially because some people couldn’t care less abouttypefaces.
Typeface is relevant to every project we do that involves text -- good typefaceselection is not only important in producing a visually-pleasing product, but it isalso important because different typefaces convey different ideas. Choosing a
typeface is like “casting an actor in a movie.” Typeface is important, whether we’re creating a business card, making a
sign/banner, writing a letter, or turning in an essay. Helvetica is a huge part of ourlives because the typeface is used everywhere -- many companies feel that thetypeface makes them seem professional, accessible and accountable, due to itssmoothness and other aesthetically-pleasing features. Some type artists say thatit invites “open interpretation”, because it doesn’t have one meaning attached toit. Others say that it’s used too often to be able to convey any sort of uniquemessage -- rather, it’s just a safe typeface to use because it’s a typical andacceptable way of saying that you’re “modern.” They say that it’s too routine, andthere’s a need for change.
I would use Helvetica in my projects, depending on the audience. If my audiencedoes not contain graphic designers, then they probably would not notice whatfont it is, only that it looks clean, smooth, professional.
