Originally posted on: Tuesday, June 10, 08
I just finished watching the movie Helvetica. It was really interesting to hear the opinions of so many different designers and their take on Helvetica. It is a typeface that has been around for a relatively short period of time and yet has helped shape design. I agree that it is very useful and can be used for many designs because it is very neutral. Although, I don’t know that I would go as far as using it and no other typeface. I think when choosing a typeface you have to keep in mind the purpose of the design and the intended audience. Each project is different and that is what is so great and challenging about design. It doesn’t seem to matter how many times you design a poster, for instance. Every time you design a new poster there are new challenges to be met, and new way of thinking about what will work and what will not. I do enjoy using Helvetica, but I try not to assume it is the best for the project just because it is a good typeface.
With all this aside, I think the journey the movie takes you on is inspiring and comforting. Everyone has his or her own ideas and you never really know where an idea will take you.
I also really enjoyed seeing Helvetica used in many different cities around the world and in many different languages. It was a nice to see this sprinkled between and during interviews. In a way it is like a strange connection designers have whether you love or hate Helvetica.
Great movie in so many ways. It is really refreshing to see a movie made with some style and wit about a subject that could have easily been boring if put into the wrong hands. Helvetica is not boring and neither was the movie.
