Helvetica: Blog 8

Helvetica

       Helvetica is a well-known Typeface all over the world. It has also been the most popular typeface since it was published. We see many advertisements and other means of design done with Helvetica nowadays.

Post WW2 Swiss design was dominated by Akzidenz Grotesk typeface which was created by Berthold around 1898. After in 1957, Neue Haas Grotesk, the original Helvetica, was launched by the Haas foundry in Zurich, particularly by Max Miedinger and Eduard Hoffman. Helvetica was licenced for the linotype machine. This typeface was created to represent functionality and also legibility. It was neutral and also without any particular meaning. That is why Helvetica was then used for almost every aspect in Design.

       

       In 1960, the typeface was licenced to a German foundry; Stempel. The marketing director decided to rename it Helvetica in order to make the typeface more popular internationally. Helvetica is a variation of the Latin word ‘Helvetia’ which means ‘Switzerland’. This brought up some controversy between the designers, as they did not want to name it after a particular country, therefore, they agreed on Helvetica.

Helvetica is a typeface used everywhere by designers, big corporations and also other small firms. This typeface received a number of rewards and it was recognized worldwide. We see Helvetica in our daily lives loads of time. We see it used in logos, websites, packaging, signs and more. This typeface has a lot of variations, also a number of language variants.

       

      Helvetica became really popular as when it was created many companies were looking for a change. Helvetica is very clean and modern, completely different from the advertisements created at that time, which were very fancy and decorative. Helvetica has that look that companies were looking for. It was sleek, fresh and new. That is why many chose to use Helvetica for their brand identity, so that to set themselves apart from an unpleasant past.

Helvetica is unique because it is all about the negative spaces that make up the characters. It also remains legible in all setups, like for example signage and airline logos. Helvetica is also widely used online. It is both classic and modern looking; edgy and elegant. It is simple, therefore, good for everything. Some companies that used this typeface for their identity are American Apparel, American Airlines, Target, the NYC Subway, etc.  

      

       Helvetica is also referred to as a safe font. It is a safe option to get started, but I don’t think it will get you anywhere. Helvetica has been overused and it has become meaningless. In order to succeed, I think that a designer should be a little daring; going through the safe track might work but will not be self-satisfactory. The aim of a designer is to always put full potential in a work, and this is done by experimentation and developing new ideas.

 

Bibliography

Anon., 2010. Web Designer depot. [Online]
Available at: http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2010/01/the-simplicity-of-helvetica/
[Accessed 19 11 2014].

Anon., 2014. lino type. [Online]
Available at: http://www.linotype.com/188/helvetica.html
[Accessed 19 11 2014].