Helvetica

9/12/20071h 20m

Theatrical Release (US)

~ Typography, Graphic Design and Global Visual Culture ~

Overview:

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.

Director:

Gary Hustwit

Status:

Released

Language:

English

Buget:

$0.00

Revenue:

$0.00

Key words:

designer
advertising
font
graphic design
typography
modernism

Cast

Michael Bierut

~ as ~

Himself

Neville Brody

~ as ~

Himself

David Carson

~ as ~

Himself

Manfred Schulz

~ as ~

Himself

Massimo Vignelli

~ as ~

Himself

Rick Poynor

~ as ~

Himself

Wim Crouwel

~ as ~

Himself

Matthew Carter

~ as ~

Himself

Alfred Hoffmann

~ as ~

Himself

Mike Parker

~ as ~

Himself

View full cast & crew

Reviews (1)

Sheldon Nylander
Written 5 year(s) ago
8
"Helvetica" is a surprisingly interesting documentary about the creation and influence of a font. Yes, a font. Yet, the story behind it is more interesting than you might believe, not to mention the influence it's had since its creation, both by its design and by the creation of an anti-Helvetica faction that rebels against its button-down and now traditional design. The influence of that rebellion alone is actually quite interesting, and as you watch this film you realize the design and the work that's gone on behind the scenes for things that we see every day and likely take for granted. Afterall, someone had to invent it at some point (like I've always said, the first person who figured out that you could drink cows' milk had to have been really weird). Worth a look, both for graphic design nerds as well as those simply curious about what's really behind the scenes of everyday things.