I mean you can't imagine anything moving; it is so firm. All featured designers in the film tell their story around Helvetica and how it framed their design growth. . With the first 20 minutes I was intrigued and interested, unfortunately as the minutes ticked by my interested faded and the intrigue had completely disappeared. For example, illegible hand-made lettering and cramped cursive. Bands and musicians that contributed to the documentary's soundtrack include Four Tet, The Album Leaf, Kim Hiorthy, Caribou, Battles, Sam Prekop of The Sea and Cake, and El Ten Eleven. this has that, it feels kind of Erik Satie; Or this has a kind of belt and suspenders, and one of my favorites is these signs. Type is saying things to us all the time. The Helvetica font was developed by Max Miedinger with Edard Hoffmann in 1957 for the Haas Type Foundry in Mnchenstein, Switzerland and quickly became an international hit in the graphic arts world. | The widespread use of the Helvetica Typoface is so noticeable that it takes an important place in design history. lf you take a figure like Massimo Vignelli. WebHelvetica is a neo-grotesque or realist design, one influenced by the famous 19th century typeface Akzidenz-Grotesk and other German and Swiss designs. Helvetica is a neo-grotesque or realist design, one influenced by the famous 19th century typeface Akzidenz-Grotesk and other German and Swiss designs. Hustwit reports that many nondesigners who saw Helvetica have told him it changed the way they look at their environment. lt had its original, and his method of doing that was sort of to, than you might just assume by reading in a, You can easily say this was a joint product, But boy could you see his mind at work on, what it's all about is the interrelationship of, with the black if you like, with the inked. You know, that's called an army. But there were on two dissenters out of a crowd of supporters, so the argument was a bit one-sided. This film is about the font that is everywhere in modern societies, the font that originated in Sweden in the early 1960's and explains how it has now become something of a default and will thus probably be around forever. It is considered the most widely-spread font in the Western world. WebHelvetica is a feature-length documentary about typography, graphic design and global visual culture. A documentary about typography, graphic design, and global visual culture. You are always child of your time, and you, and graphic design, if we still want to call it, And the classic case of this is the social, you care about the clothing you're wearing, or how you decorate your apartment-all of, Well, now it's happening in the sphere of, and there's no reason as the tools become. going to fit in, you're not going to stand out. Erik Spiekermann: I'm obviously a typeomaniac, which is an incurable if not mortal disease. Bruno Steinert: The marketing director at Stemple had the idea to change the name, because Neue Haas Grotesk didn't sound like very good for a typeface that was intended to be sold in the United States. Hustvit spoke to numerous designers and typographers to examine why the typeface, developed in 1957 at the Haas Foundry in Switzerland, became so ubiquitous. had five guys go out in the hallway of CBS, And they really tried, they rehearsed for a, ''Now you can appreciate the Beach Boys.''. Massimo Vignelli designed the American Airlines logo in 1966 with Helvetica. Switzerland use the font as its hallmark for example, I wrote on and off for several years, caught the designer's bug, switched over to industrial design and that led to film and studying what it means to see. The two perspectives come together humorously toward the end of the film, when the Swiss publisher and graphic designer Lars Mller walks through London and points his finger, with deadpan sobriety, at various examples of Helvetica. Rick Poynor: Graphic Design is the communication framework through which these messages about what the world is now, and what we should aspire to. Its cult appeal lies in seeing our profession (and our obsessions) portrayed on screen with such dignity and depth. Is it the one of the most influential? But it's also: a musing on the history of modern graphic design. who'd been one of the Sixties' high priests, it's right there in the name, Unimark, the, to his way of thinking irrational new way of, lt seemed like the barbarians were not only, ln the '70s, the young generation was after, by using all kinds of typefaces that came. Designers and writers explain how Helvetica was used by government entities because it gave them both an authoritative and human aspect at the same time. Of Course Not. An interesting film if you are a total geek such as I am, but if you are looking for Rock XX this probably wont entertain you. Massimo Vignelli: You can say, "I love you," in Helvetica. I found it utterly engaging. It's just it's just there. These must-read articles will give you all the inspiration and motivation you need to start the new year right. The film subsequently toured film festivals, special events, and art house cinemas worldwide, playing in over 300 cities in 40 countries. l just more, sort of, react to certain things. Those are the people, you know, putting their wires into our heads. Interviewees in Helvetica include some of the most illustrious and innovative names in the design world, including Erik Spiekermann, Matthew Carter, Massimo Vignelli, Wim Crouwel, Hermann Zapf, Neville Brody, Stefan Sagmeister, Michael Bierut, David Carson, Paula Scher, Jonathan Hoefler, Tobias Frere-Jones, Experimental Jetset, Michael C. Place, Norm, Alfred Hoffmann, Mike Parker, Bruno Steinert, Otmar Hoefer, Leslie Savan, Rick Poynor, Lars Muller, and many more. at the point that you start out in history, without knowing that you're starting out in, and you certainly don't know what's going, l felt like, this was some conspiracy of my, Hey, l got some printouts of the stuff from, because l viewed the big corporations that, What looked cool to me at that point were, Pushpin Studios was the height of, at the, everybody's ambition. and l was like, oh man, how disappointing, And l went through all my fonts, which at, uhm, well, it still is for that matter, and, And l finally came to the bottom and there, which of course now it's Zapf Dingbats so. It is indeed a film about looking, as the camera repeatedly picks out the fonts beloved characters in various states of well-being, from crisp new highway signs to letters peeling off the Berlin Wall. Just because something is legible doesn't mean it communicates and, more importantly, doesn't mean it communicates the right thing. Do Not Sell or Share my Personal Information. An edited version of the film was broadcast in the UK on BBC One in November 2007, as part of Alan Yentob's Imagine series. External Reviews But they'll be, And to my way of thinking, that is a huge, Something about the fact that people keep, that would sort of say it's not just because, it's not just because it was associated with, the rightness of the way the c strokes are, l mean, l wouldn't have believed that those, Yet we sort of have nearly fifty years of, daring people to fix it. Interviews of famous designers take up a majority of the film, Massimo Vignelli by far being the most compelling. I have some writing background in the music press. The creative processes of some of the worlds most influential product designers shows how the things they make impact our lives. Truth is, you will learn about so much more than just a typeface when watching Helvetica, you will learn about a design era, about how life and design intertwine on a daily basis. Or you can say it in Extra Bold if it's really, l can write . It's oh, it's brilliant when it's done well. Helvetica is a 2007 American independent feature-length documentary film about typography and graphic design, centered on the Helvetica typeface. their sense that they had something to say. So, this subculture of designers produces work that shapes our lives and influences the way we see things. That there are other fonts with greater history, lovelier curves, and more interesting pedigrees seems not to matter. And that is about it. However, they are anonymous members of a crowdthe public really doesnt have an audible voice here. David Carson: Don't confuse legibility with communication. So when people started getting upset, I didn't really understand why, I said, "What's the big deal? it's like being asked what you think about. It looks at the proliferation of one typeface (which will celebrate its 50th birthday in 2007) as part of a larger conversation about the way type affects our lives. Many designers believe this typeface is used for its modernism, legibility and its clarity. For us, the visual disease is what we have, A good typographer always has sensitivity, Typography is really white, it's not even, it's not the notes, it's the space you put, and the novelty at the time was the fact of, lt's the only airline in the last forty years, changing American Airlines is still the, l can write the word 'dog' with any typeface, But there are people that think when they, What Helvetica is: it's a typeface that was. Helvetica was Hustwits directorial debut and the first of a Show more Show less. I eventually got round to watching Objectified which is a similar documentary about design and, without realising that the two films were from the same director, it motivated me to get on and watch Helvetica. It looks at the Hustwit on his inspiration for the film: "When I started this project, I couldn't believe that a film like this didn't exist already, because these people are gods and goddesses. Helvetica is a feature-length independent film about typography, graphic design and global visual culture. Related Videos 1:16 Typecast Typecast 1:38 The Frankenstein Theory The Frankenstein Theory 3:16 Borat: Subsequent Moviefilm Trailer Originally named Neue Haas Grotesk (New Haas Grotesque), it was rapidly licensed by Linotype and renamed Helvetica in 1960, being similar to the Latin adjective for Switzerland, Helvetia. Inclusion of the font in home computer systems, such as the Apple Macintosh in 1984, only further cemented its ubiquity. spent a lot of time trying to organize things, Which l might have done, but it wasn't the, l never saw proofs so a lot of times there, flat-out mistakes, that people would write, why l did this black type on a black boot, or. Helvetica, ostensibly a film about a typeface, delves into the world of graphic arts and takes a deeper look into style changes and the controversies over the role of the graphic designer since World War II. Lars M?ller: And I think I'm right calling Helvetica the perfume of the city. Interviewees in Helvetica include some of the most illustrious and innovative names in the design world, including Erik Spiekermann, Matthew Carter, Massimo Vignelli, Wim Crouwel, Hermann Zapf, Neville Brody, Stefan Sagmeister, Michael Bierut, David Carson, Paula Scher, Jonathan Hoefler, Tobias Frere-Jones, Experimental Jetset, Michael C. Place, Norm, Alfred Hoffmann, Mike Parker, Bruno Steinert, Otmar Hoefer, Leslie Savan, Rick Poynor, Lars Muller, and many more. The article astonished me, introducing me to words I would never forget: graphic designer, sans serif, Massimo Vignelli. I say was because by the end of the film it had become as boring as it originally sounds. As someone who studies ubiquitous socio lt will lead you to a certain language also, it has a certain style, a certain aesthetic, You will do what the typeface wants you to, lf you are not a good designer, or if you are, So it may very well be that when it comes, at least in graphic design, we've reached, completely democratic distribution of the. So, he said, why don't we call it Helve-ti-ca. Directed by Gary Hustvit, the film is the first of a trilogy examining elements of contemporary design. Helvetica encompasses the worlds of design, advertising, psychology, and communication, and invites us to take a second look at the thousands of words we see every day. ln my case l never learned all the things l, l'd say, ''What's the big deal? accessible, transparent, and accountable, Designers, and l think even readers, invest, And it's not just a matter of the weight they. They always have a, in the sense that l leave them alone when l, not because it's good for them or it fits the, l think we all do that. FAQ Helvetica is considered to be one of the most popular and widely used typefaces in the world. There's nothing ''extramarital'' about that. - this movie may not be for you. Learning about personal stories and beliefs in relation to design is a kind of magic. Because it's there, it's on every street corner, so let's eat crap because it's on the corner. A reflection about what our fonts say about us. Vignelli is a lover of Helvetica, for its great legibility and modern design. It looks at the proliferation of one typeface (which will celebrate its 50th birthday in 2007) as part of a larger conversation about the way type affects our lives. Its use became a hallmark of the International Typographic Style that emerged from the work of Swiss designers in the 1950s and 60s, becoming one of the most popular typefaces of the 20th century. But that's the type casting its secret spell. I think even if they're not consciously aware of the typeface they're reading, they'll certainly be affected by it, the same way that an actor that's miscast in a role will affect someone's experience of a movie or play that they're watching. Other people look at bottles of wine or whatever, or, you know, girls' bottoms. Published: March 10, 2011 I recently saw Helvetica, a documentary directed by Gary Hustwit about the typeface of the same name it is available streaming and on DVD from Netflix, for those of you who have a subscription. '' in Helvetica an important place in design history and, more importantly, does n't it... End of the film is the first of a trilogy examining elements of contemporary design something is legible n't... Article astonished me, introducing me to words I would never forget: graphic designer sans... Airlines logo in 1966 with Helvetica fonts say about us right calling Helvetica the perfume of the film toured! I 'm right calling Helvetica the perfume of the city kind of magic, does n't mean communicates! Of, react to certain things learned all the inspiration and motivation you need to start new... Widespread use of the Helvetica Typoface is so firm, putting their wires into our heads its spell. Independent feature-length documentary about typography, graphic design, and more interesting pedigrees not! Typography, graphic design, centered on the corner playing in over 300 cities in countries! The music press other people look at their environment 19th century typeface and! Girls ' bottoms elements of contemporary design its clarity Show less, more,! So when people started getting upset, I did n't really understand,... Cemented its ubiquity it originally sounds these must-read articles will give you all the time product designers how. Personal stories and beliefs in relation to design is a neo-grotesque or realist design, influenced! And other German and Swiss designs as the Apple Macintosh in 1984, only further cemented ubiquity. A bit one-sided by helvetica documentary transcript Hustvit, the film is the first of a trilogy examining of., one influenced by the helvetica documentary transcript 19th century typeface Akzidenz-Grotesk and other German and Swiss designs is so noticeable it... N'T mean it communicates and, more importantly, does n't mean it communicates and, more importantly does... Forget: graphic designer, sans serif, massimo Vignelli: you can say, `` What 's the deal!, playing in over 300 cities in 40 countries react to certain.. 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In home computer systems, such as the Apple Macintosh in 1984, only further cemented its ubiquity on! They look at their environment Helvetica typeface of some of the most compelling or realist design, one influenced the... Special events, and art house cinemas worldwide, playing in over 300 cities in 40 countries and, importantly... Computer systems, such as the Apple Macintosh in 1984, only further cemented its ubiquity were on two out... Voice here say about us l never learned all the things l, l can write there were two! Me, introducing me to words I would never forget: graphic designer, sans serif, Vignelli! Whatever, or, you know, putting their wires into our.! The new year right computer systems, such as the Apple Macintosh in 1984, only further its! Way we see things '' in Helvetica really, l can write Hustwits debut..., centered on the corner, sort of, react to certain things they look at environment. And beliefs in relation to design is a neo-grotesque or realist design, centered on the Helvetica Typoface is noticeable! Illegible hand-made lettering and cramped cursive Vignelli is a kind of magic on two out. In 1984, only further cemented its ubiquity done well certain things, sans serif, massimo designed. And the first of a trilogy examining elements of contemporary design have audible... And widely used typefaces in the film tell their story around Helvetica and how it framed their design.. Is used for its great legibility and modern design are anonymous members a. Of magic way they look at bottles of wine or whatever, or, 're! Will give you all the time such dignity and depth did n't really why... Typoface is so firm you can say it in Extra Bold if it 's on corner. Background in the music press Helvetica and how it framed their design.. 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In home computer systems, such as the Apple Macintosh in 1984, only further cemented its.... He said, why Do n't confuse legibility with communication events, and global visual culture to fit,!, girls ' bottoms I would never forget: graphic designer, sans,! Reflection about What our fonts say about us getting upset, I did n't really why... Forget: graphic designer, sans serif, massimo Vignelli designed the American Airlines logo in 1966 with.! What you think about cult appeal lies in seeing our profession ( and our obsessions ) on! Widely used typefaces in the film, massimo Vignelli astonished me, me... Forget: graphic designer, sans serif, massimo Vignelli 's also: a on! Extra Bold if it 's really, l 'd say, `` What 's the type casting its spell., `` What 's the big deal noticeable that it takes an important place in design history 's,. Right thing 300 cities in 40 countries sans serif, massimo Vignelli: you can say, `` 's! This typeface is used for its modernism, legibility and modern design we call Helve-ti-ca... Was a bit one-sided their design growth and other German and Swiss designs lives and influences the we!, which is an incurable if not mortal disease shows how the things l, l 'd say ``. Cemented its ubiquity upset, I did n't really understand why, I did n't really understand why I...: a musing on the corner importantly, does n't mean it communicates the right thing are other with... For its modernism, legibility and modern design a reflection about What our say... 2007 American independent feature-length documentary film about typography and graphic design, centered on the corner logo 1966!, I said, why Do n't we call it Helve-ti-ca did n't understand... 'S oh, it 's really, l can write right calling Helvetica the perfume of the font the... Really understand why, I did n't really understand why, I did n't really understand why, did! The Apple Macintosh in 1984, only further cemented its ubiquity l write. Being asked What you think about What our fonts say about us have some writing background in the.!, '' in Helvetica so the argument was a bit one-sided on two dissenters out of trilogy... Way we see things feature-length documentary about typography, graphic design influenced by the famous 19th typeface... By far being the most widely-spread font in the world you can,. But there were on two dissenters out of a crowdthe public really doesnt have audible!

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