Graphic Design Term 2

So, I haven't been around much.. and won't be around tomorrow as I've been swamped with work by evil colleges. 
Here are a couple things I have. Oh, and the website is slowly in progress, I'm just still a little lost with actions.


HELVETICA QUESTIONS


1.DescribeHelvetica – what are some core visual characteristics of the font?

Helvetica is  a clear typeface. It appears modern and truly expressive in any style (“I love you in bold is intense and passionate, I love you in ultra light is romantic”). The typeface is open to interpretation. It is neutral, smooth and efficient. . There is horizontal “slicing of terminals” (e.g in e, c).





2. Provide a brief history of the typeface. What was so different about Helvetica from other typefaces?

-  Helvetica emerges in 1957 when there is a need for rational typefaces. It was needed to be intelligible and legible, with many uses. It was a step from the 19^th century typeface as it was more machined. It had no meaning in itself, only in the context it was being used in. Originally named Neue Haas Grotesk, they decided to change the name to something easily readable internationally. They suggested the name Helvetisia (latin name of Switzerland where the font was born). It was then decided you shouldn’t name a font after a country so they altered it to Helvetica.





3. Choose one of the people in the film who supported helvetica, explain his/her argument.

Wim Crouwel supported Helvetica. He liked how it [“did] away with manual detailing”. Liked its neutral, clean and universal characteristics.





4. Choose one of the people in the film who dislikes helvetica, explain his/her argument.

Paula Scher disliked Helvetica. She think it connected to corporate culture- persuasively Helvetica, “fascist”, She thought it was too clean like “cleaning a room.” She was morally opposed to it as corporations who sponsored the Vietnam war, were “slathered in Helvetica.” Therefore if you use Helvetica, you are in favour of the war. Iraqi war- Helvetica.





5. Having just watched an entire documentary devoted to a single typeface, what is your position on Helvetica? Explain.

In my opinion, every font has a time and place. Helvetica has been a great universal, clean font that has endless possibilities. It can be a heading font, a logo font or a whole text body font. I personally have started respecting the font more and more for its simplicity because that is the look I try to achieve in my work. Of course, that doesn’t mean I’d overdo it. If every single person used Helvetica in their identities, would there really be any identity at all? It’s a top-notch font, but there isn’t to say there aren’t any other great fonts around. 

FIELD ASSIGNMENT: NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION: ME

I'll submit more later, i promise.

M.L