Helvetica

I recently watched a most fascinating film. It was so good that my husband and I watched it again a few days later, and then he felt it necessary to actually purchase the DVD and companion book. We do not own many DVDs, so that gives you an indication of exactly how compelling this film was. It is called “Helvetica,” and that pretty much sums up the film’s subject. It is a paean to the typeface, with many designers weighing in on how it has affected their life. I must admit that Helvetica has become so ubiquitous that I don’t pay much attention to it, and I never think of using it. This film has changed all that for me. I have a new respect for it, as a result of seeing a number of inspirational designs that employ the font. So I have decided that I owe it to the font to try it out. And in some large and obvious way. I am aware of walking that fine line between simple, clean and powerful…and simple, clean and boring. This is the challenge.