Helvetica Questions - R.R

Watch the documentary Helvetica and answer the following questions in full sentences (20 marks)

1.Describe Helvetica – what are some core visual characteristics of the font?
The font is very clear, not fancy at all, and says what it needs to say in a simple manner. Some say it is very “neutral”. The whole structure is based on the horizontal sliced-off structure of the terminals on the lower case letters.

2.Provide a brief history of the typeface. What was so different about Helvetica from other typefaces?
Helvetica was made by Eduard Hoffmann, who wished to make a modernized version of Akzidenz Grotesk, which was a traditional German 19th century Sans Serif. The drawings for Helvetica were made by Max Miedinger. Hoffmann had an idea of what the typeface should look like, then he and Miedinger sat down and Miedinger designed it. Helvetica was owned by Hass and Stempel, which is now owned by Linotype. Therefore Helvetica is now owned by Linotype. Stempel suggested the name of Helvetsia, which is the Latin name for Switzerland. Mr. Hoffmann, who did not want to name a typeface after the name of a country, decided to name it Helvetica, which would make it The Swiss Typeface.
Helvetica is different from other typefaces in that it is very simple. It is clean, crisp, and very neat. It replaced old typefaces that were silly, too curvy or too rough looking.

3. Choose one of the people in the film who supported Helvetica, explain his/her argument.
Mike Carter liked Helvetica because it was a font that held together well. He thought that it was all about the inter-relationship of the negative space and the black. He explains that you can’t imagine anything being able to move, that the letters live in a power matrix of surrounding space.
4. Choose one of the people in the film who dislikes Helvetica, explain his/her argument.
Stefan Sagmeister argues that the typeface is boring and has no personality. He does not think that Helvetica is interesting enough, and that it limits a body of work. Another critic said “there is a very thin line between simple and clean and powerful, and simple and clean and boring.”
6. Having just watched an entire documentary devoted to a single typeface, what is your position on Helvetica? Explain.
I think that Helvetica is an alright font to use if you have a very generic business. It looks clean and has a really readable look to it. I personally, would rather see more ornamental fonts, as they’re 100% more exciting than boring old Helvetica.