Helvetica RL

1. Describe Helvetica – what are some core visual characteristics of the font?

1. Helvetica is a very clear and neat font. It is very readable and is found almost everywhere you go. The font is straight forward and neutral. Each letter is very similar to each other in terms of the curve of the letters and spacing.



2. Provide a brief history of the typeface. What was so different about Helvetica from other typefaces?



2. Helvetica was created in 1957 in Münchenstein, Switzerland. It was Eduard Hoffman’s idea to create a very clear font. It could be used in a wide variety of signage. Helvetica was different from other typefaces because it was great clarity and had no intrinsic meaning. Helvetica strokes were either cut horizontally or vertically.



3. Choose one of the people in the film who supported helvetica, explain his/her argument.

3. Matthew Carter’s opinion was Helvetica was “exactly right”. He wouldn’t know how to change it because it was that perfect. Helvetica was a corporate font and very accountable. Leslie thought Helvetica was a quality font that was excisable. It looked clean, official and efficient. Jonathan and Tobias said Helvetica was everything. It was appealing, clean and organized. Helvetica was the ultimate typeface. It had a feeling of finality, was a part of modern society and a perfect balance.



4. Choose one of the people in the film who dislikes helvetica, explain his/her argument.



4. Erik did not like Helvetica; he thought it needed rhythm and constant. Helvetica was a total nightmare and was a bad taste in font. It needed better spacing sideways and more individuality. All the letters are the same like an army. Erik also said Helvetica didn’t stand out, it was dull and it needed a change. A font should not be perfect but have character.



5.Having just watched an entire documentary devoted to a single typeface, what is your position on Helvetica? Explain.



5. I feel Helvetica is over used around the world. You can see it everywhere you go no matter what country you are in. Many corporations use Helvetica when there are still so many other fonts. Helvetica is very boring and dull. All the letters look similar with little to no change. I think different corporations should use different fonts for more individuality and to make them more unique.