Helvetica

Helvetica
by Gary Hustwit

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DVD details

Actor: David Carson, Erik Spiekermann, Massimo Vignelli, Matthew Carter, Wim Crouwel
Director: Gary Hustwit
Brand: WEA-DES MOINES VIDEO
Cinematographer: Luke Geissbuhler
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); German (Subtitled); English (Subtitled)
Format: Dolby, DVD, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.78:1
Running Time: 80 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2007-11-20
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Plexifilm

DVD Reviews of Helvetica

DVD Review: A novel documentary that just might be your type (ah, sorry about that)
Summary: 4 Stars

The other day I went up to one of the people at the information desk at the Sears -- oops! make that the Willis -- Tower in Chicago very close to where I work and asked them if they knew the name of the font that was used in displaying the building name. I was reasonably confident that it was Albertus (a very distinctive font that most people will known from a slightly modified version used in the classic TV series THE PRISONER). They didn't know, but my point is that today even someone completely unschooled in design like myself can somewhat conversant on the subject. It is all due to computers. One of the results of the personal computer revolution is that it has made people conscious of fonts in a way that people never were before. Oh, people worried about whether they could get alternatives to courier on their old electric typewriters. But for the most part people did not think much about it in their own lives. For the most part font design has been dominated by serif fonts. A 'serif' is the little design at the end of a stroke on a character. Sans-serif is any typeface that does not contain the serif on the character. An easy way to tell which a font is (though it will by no means hold up in all cases), is to look at a capital 'I' and lowercase 'L'. If you have Word 2007 it is exceptionally easy to compare the various fonts by highlighting both characters and scrolling through your options. If you look up Helvetica in Office, you won't find it. Microsoft opted for a cheap version of Helvetica that we all know as Arial. It is the primary Windows sans-serif font, just as Times New Roman is the primary serif font.

I have some problems with the documentary because it leaves so much out. For instance, for all its importance in advertising and in public design, Helvetica and other sans-serif fonts play little role elsewhere. I did a test sampling of ten different books off my bookshelf. All ten were printed in serif fonts. The entire issue of font for reading is almost completely unaddressed.

Despite the lapses, this is a very interesting film, which addresses both the reasons for the success of Helvetica and similar sans-serif fonts (btw, they constantly show public signs with the assumption that they are Helvetica, when in fact many of them are derivative fonts -- the film actually is about the Helvetica family rather than Helvetica narrowly conceived) and the reasons for many rejecting it. For instance, one woman not completely tongue-in-cheek associates Helvetica with the wagers of the Vietnamese War and the invasion of Iraq.

I love documentaries like this, that focus narrowly on a subject that you might otherwise not give a great deal of thought about. You will definitely not take for granted the public signs and advertisements that you see around you.

DVD Review: Fantastic ! 5 Stars !
Summary: 5 Stars

Helvetica is a must see film for every designer not just typographers alone.
You get personal interviews with typographers, graphic designers and those who make the design world spin.

This film inspires me every time I watch it.

DVD Review: Had no idea
Summary: 5 Stars

I had no idea the pervasiveness that one font could have in my life. It was around me but I never even thought about it until this movie. I'm out looking in when it comes to art. I really like art but sometimes people have to point me in the right direction. My graphic designer friend showed me this and I came away with a whole new look on print and advertising. The documentary is a bit long, but I still recommend it.

DVD Review: Why not Helvetica?
Summary: 5 Stars

Weather you use the font or not, love the font or hate it, you will learn to appreciate modern typography more by watching "Helvetica". I thoroughly enjoyed the documentary and shared it with my graphic design students, many of whom bought their own copies. Typographic liberties taken in the film do not lessen the impact of a funny, quirky, fast paced look at the major tool of graphic designers-type. Great way to introduce students to contemporary designers and their thoughts about typography. Can't wait for Objectified!!!

DVD Review: Geeky but Great
Summary: 5 Stars

I admit it, I'm a font junkie. I spent many hours in an earlier life looking through Letraset catalogs. One of the first things I did upon getting each new computer and printer was to go through all the available fonts.
Imagine my joy at stumbling across "Helvetica" late one night on public television. I ordered it the next day. The DVD is even better than the broadcast because of the wealth of additional interview materials.
As well as gaining insight on the history of type design in the 20th century, this is a delightful exploration of how designers think and work. It's quite funny in places. My favorite part was listening to how excited people get when describing the virtues (or lack thereof) of Helvetica. Fonts really are like music in their power to evoke a response in those who are attuned to them.
This is a great film. Even if you have only a passing interest in graphic design, this film will open your eyes to the pervasiveness of Helvetica in the modern world.

Description of Helvetica

Helvetica is a feature-length independent film about typography, graphic design and global visual culture. It looks at the proliferation of one typeface (which will celebrate its 50th birthday in 2007) as part of a larger conversation about the way type affects our lives. The film is an exploration of urban spaces in major cities and the type that inhabits them, and a fluid discussion with renowned designers about their work, the creative process, and the choices and aesthetics behind their use of type.

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