so i can’t seem to find the link to the reading on the blog or the 254 tumblr, but based on all this modernism and helvetica talk, I have to say that I agree with both parties in the documentary film Helvetica.   Famous designers such as Vim Crouwel and Stefan Sagmeister are featured here, Vim being the helvetica-toting modernist, and Stefan being the hand-drawn-organized chaos post-modernist both bring valid points to the table.

Helvetica, like they all describe, is “neutral”, which is a great word to describe it. The designer should not choose a typeface that mimics the context of the piece. helvetica, when applied correctly, can achieve whatever context it needs to. Instead of relying on the crazy-looking font for good design, it’s left up to the designer to take this perfectly simple typeface and apply it well to create good design. It communicates well, which is the underlying factor we’re all trying to achieve.

On the other hand, it seems nowadays the average designer either uses helvetica, or does hand drawn scanned in stuff. I think the fact that helvetica was used so much during mid century design that it got burnt out, then what’s his name made the documentary a few years back and it was all the rage again. And now, a few after that, hand-drawn type is where it’s at again. Let’s face it, design is subject to trendiness and contemporary usualness (if that;s even a word) and it’s easy to become used to using one certain media or technique, but in the long run it is important to be well-rounded and be able to utilize all aspects of art and design.

Summary

This typeface holds a contrasting quality that could be applied to a multitude of dueling opposites… Love/hate. Happy/sad. Full of energy/over-tired. Scared/brave to name a few.

Target Audience

This typeface has appeal for a lot of different demographics and lifestyles, whether it be a small child doing his/her first book report, to a depressed 30 year old wanting to convey their feelings to their complicated significant other…”melodramatic” can achieve this for them. It’s sharp yet playful feel evoke emotion without a doubt, whatever form it may be in.

Design Strategy

To deliver this new font properly I want to obviously apply it in it’s appropriate forums. A birthday/holiday/get well card, a children’s project creator, a series of skateboard decks, and also the possibility of a stencil graphic for all those taggers out there.

I definitely agreed with this article, without taking the time to physically create marks or strokes, you don’t understand the subtleties perhaps. In drawing my typeface I experienced exactly this situation. I had to slow down from my usual fast, sketchy style and try to feel out the lines and curviture. It also helps in understanding scale between one letterform to the next.

1) Helvetica

2) Futura

3) Lubalin ITC

4) Garamond

5) Goudy old style

6) American Typewriter

7) real typewriter courier

8) anything hand drawn

9) Masterplan (found it on dafont.com)

10) Alte Haas Grotesk (also found on dafont, kind of a rougher version of helvetica)

11) Orator Std