HELVETICA

The documentary HELVETICA’S appeal is that it explores a world of which you may not be fully aware. Signs, brochures, logos, billboards, street signs, directions, store names, product names and daily correspondence all use a variety of fonts but none more prevalent for the last fifty years than Helvetica.

HELVETICA is a documentary about a typeface. In a world of advocacy and activist documentary exposes, “Typefaces and Fonts” may at first seem a mundane subject; something meant for graphic designers and artists. Certainly this film will appeal to graphic artists, advertising and marketing professionals, anyone in these and other related areas that use typefaces. But today doesn’t everyone use typefaces or fonts? Word processing software programs offer a  variety of font choices for correspondence and corporate in-house communications. Which typefaces will communicate best for your purposes?

Using a traditional documentary format, director Gary Hustwit brings to life the amazing story of the Helvetica typeface.  At the same time he gives you a look into the rich tradition and thought that goes into designing a typeface. The documentary combines historical perspectives, and first person interviews with designers who both love and hate Helvetica. Who would have thought there could be all this angst about a type font! But there is, and this documentary helps you to understand why typefaces are important and how they impact the reader. Many of the designers interviewed are well known, candid and at times even humorous.

It doesn’t seem possible that anyone watching this documentary will ever be able to look a the world around them again without noticing how much Helvetica typeface is out there. The film incorporates scenes starting on the streets of New York and other cities, where suddenly it’s apparent how inundated you are with typefaces. Why did they choose Helvetica for the subway signs and directions in the New York subway? An interview with Massimo Vignelli gives his perspective of why he uses Helvetica.

The amazing world of graphic design and typefaces are explored in this surprising, fast paced, informative documentary. In the words of Manfred Schultz, “Type is saying things to us all the time… Typefaces express a mood and atmosphere. They give words a coloring.”

The documentary is well shot and edited. Interviews with leading designers are brought to life with additional footage graphically explaining ideas and concepts. The sound design, including  the choice of music works well with the subject matter.

An excellent documentary to watch whether you are a graphic designer, in marketing or advertising, designing a brochure, newsletter, website or just like learning something new about the world. Informative and entertaining.

JRMartin

Trailer

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