Helvetica

Sep 12, 2007

1h 20m

★ 7.2

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.

Genres

Documentary

Production Companies

Swiss Dots

Veer

Helvetica Trailers

Cast

Himself

Michael Bierut

Himself

Neville Brody

Himself

David Carson

Himself

Manfred Schulz

Himself

Massimo Vignelli

Himself

Rick Poynor

Himself

Wim Crouwel

Himself

Matthew Carter

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Alfred Hoffmann

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Mike Parker

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Otmar Hoefer

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Bruno Steinert

Up until just over 30 years ago, when the desktop computer debuted, the whole design production process would have been done primarily by hand, and with the aide of analog machines. The design and print industries used a variety of ways to get type and image onto film, plates, and finally to the printed page. Graphic Means is a journey through this transformative Mad Men-era of pre-digital design production to the advent of the desktop computer. It explores the methods, tools, and evolving social roles that gave rise to the graphic design industry as we know it today.

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