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.
Helvetica encompasses the worlds of design, advertising, psychology, and communication, and invites us to take a second look at the thousands of words we see every day.
The film was shot in high-definition on location in the United States, England, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, France and Belgium. It is currently in post-production and is slated to begin screening at film festivals worldwide starting in early 2007.
Interviewees in Helvetica include some of the most illustrious and innovative names in the design world, including Erik Spiekermann, Matthew Carter, Massimo Vignelli, Wim Crouwel, Hermann Zapf, Neville Brody, Stefan Sagmeister, Michael Bierut, David Carson, Paula Scher, Jonathan Hoefler, Tobias Frere-Jones, Experimental Jetset, Michael C. Place, Norm, APFEL, Pierre Miedinger, Alfred Hoffmann, Mike Parker, Bruno Steinert, Otmar Hoefer, Rick Poynor, Lars Muller, and many more.
There isn’t a graphic artist out there that won’t point out Helvetica’s impact on the world. But whether there was a need for a movie about it? Now as a art film, and with a “cast” of a number of very influential people in teh font community. Going back to the history of Helvetica and some great stories and example of where we see it. Ok… color me impressed. If it comes on TLC/Discovery channel I’ll watch it. I very much doubt it’ll be showing near me.
Tags: Advertising, Art, Design, Interesting, Movies, Review
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