After watching the film Helvetica by Gary Hustwit I decided I would create my own description of Helvetica and its pro's and con's. This is based upon what I had learnt throughout the documentary and online.
Helvetica has been popular now for 50+ years and is so due to its neutrality in form. Its neutral appearance enables the designer to use it for a multitude of different projects. These can vary from a hospital sign to a new household product’s advertisement campaign. Most commonly Helvetica is found within informational documents as issued by the likes of government and local councils in regards to public information. It is also found on road signs, directions and shop displays, it is so commonly used in fact that many people are unaware to its ubiquity. It has become a default font in a way, as for some designers it’s the go to font that they know can be adaptable to its purpose. However It’s strength is also its Achilles heel as its due to this neutral vision that the font can become a bland and lifeless choice, especially so If the subject requires invigorating energy or a hint of elegance for example. For these jobs it is much more appropriate to use a different font, for example perhaps using a serif font to display a sense of quality and elegance through its decorative flourish.
Helvetica has been popular now for 50+ years and is so due to its neutrality in form. Its neutral appearance enables the designer to use it for a multitude of different projects. These can vary from a hospital sign to a new household product’s advertisement campaign. Most commonly Helvetica is found within informational documents as issued by the likes of government and local councils in regards to public information. It is also found on road signs, directions and shop displays, it is so commonly used in fact that many people are unaware to its ubiquity. It has become a default font in a way, as for some designers it’s the go to font that they know can be adaptable to its purpose. However It’s strength is also its Achilles heel as its due to this neutral vision that the font can become a bland and lifeless choice, especially so If the subject requires invigorating energy or a hint of elegance for example. For these jobs it is much more appropriate to use a different font, for example perhaps using a serif font to display a sense of quality and elegance through its decorative flourish.
However, Helvetica can still to a
degree attain a sense of emotional connection through how the designer
“dresses” it up. What I mean by dressing the typeface up is by using a certain
colour, or colour variations to identify with a brand that then takes on the
typeface as “its own” identity. One way in which designers have been known to
use Helvetica within brand identity is by customising certain letters of the
font within the logo, or even as is the case with Skype softening the edges to
give a more friendly, homely approach.
You can see a range of companies who have used Helvetica as their base font and in some cases personalised displayed on the below website:
http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2009/03/40-excellent-logos-created-with-helvetica/
You can see a range of companies who have used Helvetica as their base font and in some cases personalised displayed on the below website:
http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2009/03/40-excellent-logos-created-with-helvetica/
Helvetica when compared against
Helvetica Neue has a smaller range of weight variations and when compared
directly against Helvetica Neue it is apparent that the form is less smooth.
When using Helvetica I tend to use Helvetica Neue due to the reasons mentioned,
also I find the smoother curves on Neue give a more friendly appeal to the
typeface.