Helvetica Writing Assignment

Writing Assignment

• Where does Helvetica originate from? What country?

   Helvetica comes from Switzerland 

• What does the original name mean? What is it's translation in English?

Die Nue Hase Grues = Helvetica = The Swiss Typeface 

• What year was Helvetica created? 

1957

• What is the design style that Helvetica brought to popularity worldwide? 

A fresh, new, clean, balanced typeface 

• List the names of 3 different design styles or design movements that are discussed in the film. 

- Style movement

- Post modernism 

- Grunge Typography 

• Write about some of the insight about design you have taken away from the film. You can provide quotes if you like. 

To " Have the perfect balance of push and pull "

Thinking More Deeply

1. How does a type face create a mood, feeling or image? Can you describe an occasion when you had a particular reaction to something in print, not because of content, but because of the typeface?

The only time i have had an reaction to some type face is when it is in caps i know the person is mostly likely yelling or just really happy.  I could see also that if someone used a cursive typeface it make me feel the thing they are talking about is either beautiful or elegant.

2. In HELVETICA, design writer Richard Poynor says, “The designer has an enormous responsibility” as the person who is “putting wires into our heads.” What does he mean? How would you define that responsibility?

What I think he means that the designer puts the wires in our head by creating art that we connect to or that we really like and go on to see more of that kind of art. 

3. Think of the font you most commonly use when working on your computer. Which one is it and why do you use that one?

I either use Times New Roman or some kinda font that looks like cursive.  I use cursive style fonts because I like the way it looks and i use Times New Roman because it is basic.

4. American designer David Carson says, “Don’t confuse legibility with communication.” What does he mean? What’s the difference between them?

Well legibility is how well you can read a certain typeface but communication is using different fonts to really connect with the audience.

5. How is design an expression of the times? How does politics affect the art of design?

Design is an expression of time because design changes every year.  Politics affect art because like when Helvetica was new if you used it you were supporting the war.

6. What is your reaction to the grunge style of type and design? Why do you think you respond to it that way?

I think that Grunge style is informal or dirty and should not be used in an professional work place.

7. Imagine that the post office, your local bank or other government or corporate entity whose signage is familiar to you started using a different typeface. How would that change their image or your feeling about that business or organization?

To me if a company changes there logo font i think they either changed owners or are trying to change it to get more customers 

8. What might you take away from this film in terms of possible effects on your work or other aspects of your daily life?

I think i will take that i need to balance my work to have a fresh and clean look to it.

9.What changes, if any, has this film made in how you think about print and graphic design?

This has made a lot of changes to how i think about print like that it will change every thing if you have a crazy typeface or just a normal one. 

Activities

• Where can examples of Helvetica be seen? Can you spot some examples on our own campus? Use your camera and take a picture of a few examples and include in your blog post. 

Helvetica can be see every were like on our campus.  Here are some examples: 

• Name 4 Designers that appear in the film. Look them up and show examples of their work, research and provide links to websites and any biographical information about them. Post the information to your blog. 

 Rick Poynor: 

David Carson: 

Mathew Carter: 

Wim Crouwel: