As many of my fellow typeface loving geekoids may know, this is the 50th year of Helvetica’s existence.
In 1957 it was released as Neue Haas Grotesk (changed to Helvetica in 1960) and has proven to be a wonderfully neutral typeface which makes it lend to many different applications. As my professor has said “If Helvetica was a person, it would have no personality.” While one may think that this is an insult, it is in actuality quite possibly the reason why Helvetica has the level of success that it does in 2007.
Being neutral means that it’s not frilly, girly, manly, rough, or textured. It’s not demanding, intrusive, frightening or happy. It stands as it is: a sans serif typeface. Its neutrality demands the talents and skills of the designer to bring out a personality for whatever the current project.
To commemorate this important 50th anniversary, a documentary has been released:
Helvetica: A Documentary Film by Gary Hustwit
I would recommend to watch it, I have been unable to do so as of yet but I hear that it’s amazing. Not everyone may like typography or typefaces, but in the least you will notice how Helvetica surrounds us in our day to day lives!
If you’re lucky enough to live in New York or be traveling up there before March of 2008, I suggest visiting this exhibit, which features much more than just an excerpt of the film:
50 Years of Helvetica
April 6, 2007–March 31, 2008
The Leonard Dobbs Architecture and Design Gallery, third floor
Museum of Modern Art
(212) 708-9400
11 West 53 Street,
between Fifth and Sixth avenues
New York, NY 10019-5497
I plan to make my trip there sometime between January and March. I hope you all find yourselves entertained!
the xtrovert
