You’re in class assignment for next (Monday), is to watch this movie. Then in the comments section of this post before next Thursday, share your favorite quote from the movie and how you feel about the typeface Helvetica after watching it.
( I may have to approve your comments before it shows up, also the comments are time stamped when you submit them regardless of weather or not they have been approved )
“It’s the real thing period, Coke, period, in Helvetica, period, any questions? of course not.” While talking about a Coke ads use of Helvetica.
I thought it was interesting how they brought up both the positives and negatives of Helvetica, and especially how universal how it has become, one of my favorite quotes was saying how Helvetica was a landslide, waiting on the side of the mountain. However, I agree with the German designer that it’s more fun and less boring and can be more beneficial for brands like Marlboro to have their own unique look.
“Helvetica is all about the interrelationship of the negative shape, and the shapes between the characters and within the characters… the counters and space between the characters just hold the letters”
I think Helvetica can be used for a very large number of purposes, and is in a lot more places than I realized. It is clean and efficient, although also boring. Typefaces can be used to tell an audience of consumers if something is right for them to buy. Helvetica is almost universal as it applies to so many different types of people.
I think is the same quote I chose last year when watching this, but it sticks out to me as the creator of the typeface said that the typeface has been so loved, successful and hated. He realizes that his creation of the typeface had a polarizing effect which is praised for its modernist design in a clear sense. However, its perception of being too clean and bland leads to no personality.
My favorite quote from the Helvetica Movie was the line “typography can have personality the way drawing can” as it feels like something which isn’t thought about as much.
Favorite Quote from Erik Spiekermann:
“I’m obviously a typeomaniac, which is an incurable if not mortal disease. I can’t explain it. I just love, I just like looking at type. I just get a total kick out of it: they are my friends. Other people look at bottles of wine or whatever, or, you know, girls’ bottoms. I get kicks out of looking at type. It’s a little worrying, I admit, but it’s a very nerdish thing to do.”
I chose this quote because I thought it was very humorous and brought a different perspective of interests to the movie and to just myself in general.
After watching the movie, I thought the interviews with graphic designers throughout the course of the Helvetica creation was impactful because it was attempting to bring light to how Helvetica is seen across different viewpoints. For myself, I believe it was impactful because I was informed of the specifics of the typeface itself and will further notice it in my everyday life as if I studied it, alike to the designers in the movie.
One quote from the Helvetica movie that stood out to me is:
“Helvetica is like water. You know, it’s not just water. It’s got a taste of its own. And you can add things to it to make it different, but essentially, it’s still water. And I think Helvetica is a little bit like that.”
After watching the Helvetica movie, I have a newfound appreciation for the typeface. I was surprised by the way that so many designers and typographers have such strong opinions about a such simple font. It fascinating to see how Helvetica has been used in so many different contexts, from corporate logos to street signs, and how it has become a sort of cultural icon. I also liked the way that the film explored the idea that typography is not just about aesthetics, but also about communication and meaning. Overall, I think Helvetica is a versatile and timeless typeface that deserves its place in the canon of design history.
My favorite quote from the movie was, “the life of a designer is a life of fight: a fight against the ugliness.” After watching the movie, I have more of an appreciation for Helvetica as a classic and multifaceted typeface.
‘If you’re not a designer, or you’re not a good designer, use Helvetica bold in a flyer and it’ll look good,” is my favorite quote from the movie. Helvetica to me seems as if it’s the basic typeface or the default typeface for every typeface.
Helvetica as a font is a very clean san serif font that can be used for a wide variety of different designs or logos. I feel it speaks to the viewer very concisely and allows to reader to easily understand what’s supposed to be conveyed. The change in names from “Neue Haas Grotesk” to Helvetica just shows the journey this typeface has been on and just how much of an inspiration it has been to other typefaces. “The way something is presented will define the way you react to it.” (40:16) Neville Brody
Before watching Helvetica, I never really put much thought into what typefaces are used in everyday objects such as public street signs or business logos. This is mostly because Helvetica is extremely easy to read and doesn’t stand out too much, which makes it seem like a “default” typeface. After learning more about the background and process of creating Helvetica, I think I have a new appreciation for the typeface. I feel like Helvetica looks great no matter what context or setting it is put in. I also like aesthetic of a minimalist typeface and how Helvetica has become so popular among the design community. My favorite quote from this movie was when Wim Crouwel said “I am always interested in clarity. It should be clear. It should be readable. It should be straight forward… I invented the grid and with the grid I play my game, but always along the lines of the grid so that there is certain order in it… For me, its a tool of creating order, and creating order is typography.”
Before watching Helvetica, I never really put much thought into what typefaces are used in everyday objects such as public street signs or business logos. This is mostly because Helvetica is extremely easy to read and doesn’t stand out too much, which makes it seem like a “default” typeface. After learning more about the background and process of creating Helvetica, I think I have a new appreciation for the typeface. I feel like Helvetica looks great no matter what context or setting it is put in. I also like aesthetic of a minimalist typeface and how Helvetica has become so popular among the design community. My favorite quote from this movie was when Wim Crouwel said “I am always interested in clarity. It should be clear. It should be readable. It should be straight forward… I invented the grid and with the grid I played my game, but always along the lines of the grid so that there is certain order in it… For me, its a tool of creating order, and creating order is typography.”