March 3rd, 2009
Helvetica. It works.
This
This is
This is my
This is my block
This is my block of
This is my block of Helvetica.
I just got through watching ‘Helvetica’, a documentary about the history and culture behind the font Helvetica. I actually learned quite a bit from the film. Some of the people interviewed I’ve heard of for so many years, such as Eric Spiekermann. And to see them talk about typography and graphic design was especially intimidating since many of them are German and Swiss and can speak better English than I can. But regardless, I will never look at the font the same again.
Even if you are not a graphic designer and you are reading this wondering what Helvetica is, or why you should care, it has had a major impact on Western culture. It is literally everywhere, for both good reasons and not so good reasons. It is a modern font and encompasses the modern age in its aesthetic and context. I have honestly not experimented with it that much. I’m not sure if that’s a sign of my immaturity as a designer or that I leaped ahead and am therefore more mature as a designer. I don’t know. But seeing the film and learning about this significant creation in my industry is making me think about revisiting it. And what may be more important than that would be for me to revisit typography in general. Maybe for my next website design, I will simplyl start with text only, and build around it. Such a simple idea, yet so mind altering. Maybe it’s just the refreshing change my approach needs.
A recommendation was given by one of the designers in the film for all of the inexperienced and/or bad designers out there. When in doubt, use Helvetica. At the worst, you will be using an aesthetically pleasing type face. I thought this was kind of funny, but then when I thought about all of the strip malls I had seen with signs loaded with logos using Papyrus and Comic Sans, I decided he was right. So yes – when in doubt, use Helvetica. But once you get the hang of it, expand and explore the use of other high quality fonts. That is, after you delete Papyrus and Comic Sans from your harddrive forever.
So if you want to see what I mean by Helvetica being completely ingrained in Western culture, go an entire day taking note of every time you see the Helvetica font used somewhere. Develop an opinion as to where you think it fits or doesn’t fit.
March 24th, 2009
I love the new business cards! I think they look great. And I agree, I don’t think you really need your home address on there. Good job Alan!!
April 2nd, 2009
That’s so funny!
We watched that in class this semester (advertising design and graphics).
And oddly enough, my sister saw it at a film festival in NC like 2 years ago.
It’ everywhere!