The Helvetica film was an interesting documentary on the type font ‘Helvetica”. The video followed different designers and established artists to define the font and explain what it meant to each of them- whilst also giving a background on the creation of the font.

Helvetica came around the 50’s to revolutionaries the world of type. Before Helvetica many designs and advertisements would have used script fonts in different sizes to capture the story and reasoning behind the advertisement. After Helvetica advertising became more straightforward and clear- there was no need to ‘ask questions’, it told you the necessary information and that was it. 

Before watching this documentary I had only heard of the font through the use of Microsoft Word. I never imagined that the type was so widely used across many different platforms and around the world. Helvetica is used in brands such as; Toyota, BMW, Microsoft, Urban Outfitters, American Apparel, The North Face and Jeep. I also notice that many different pieces of signage also use Helvetica such as the ‘automatic door’ sign used in public buildings and shops. I think that after watching this documentary I will be looking out for Helvetica all around me in all areas.  

The different designers within the video had varying opinions on the type face, some believed it to be the most life-changing and revolutionary a font has ever been, and some believe that it is now boring and we need to step away from using it. the metaphor used to describe the type was that ‘it is just like air- it is just always there.’ others had thought of how mesmerising it had been to be presented with the font for the first time. They compared it to being incredibly thirsty in a desert of drought and finding Helvetica to be the most attractive glass of water sitting there waiting for you.

In my opinion, I think Helvetica is a great font and is very fit for purpose still in daily life. I think that although it can be thought of as boring and outdated or overused, it is in the way in which it is presented that might matter just as much as the type itself.