Helvetica: The Movie

[Update: as of this Sunday, January 27th, the free preview on Google Video was no longer available: More on that at the Helvetica Blog here. However, I would highly recommend purchasing the DVD (which I just did). The link above explains it was the #1 watched video on Google Video this Friday. It would be interesting to see what the unauthorized exposure creates in the way of DVD sales. I hope it turns out to be a profitable mistake for the creators.]

Helvetica is an interesting 1-hour, 22-minute film documentary about typefaces, visual culture, and graphic design. I wanted to see this last year when it came out, but never got around to seeing it or ordering the DVD. Now you can see the entire feature-length film on Google Video.

Here’s a link to a story about the documentary in the New York Times.

Found in Design • • Permalink http://www.sundog.net/index.php/sunblog/entry/helvetica-the-movie/

Comments

Derek Dettler wrote on Jan 25, 2008 at 11:58 PM: I saw a showing of Helvetica at one of the Fargo Moorhead Advertising Federation’s meetings this past summer. The film does a wonderful job of exploring the font’s usage throughout the history of graphic design. It also points out the impact the font has had on everything from corporate logo design to advertising copy. The film is very insightful whether or not you are a graphic design junkie.

Phil wrote on Jan 26, 2008 at 01:20 AM: I caught Helvetica a few months ago via the Netflix “Watch Now” feature. Quite the entertaining film, nothing like watching a bunch of font snobs air out their love and hate for helvetica. I’d agree with Derek, an insightful film even for those not obsessed with kerning.

wrote on Jan 27, 2008 at 10:56 AM

Derek and Phil—thanks for the feedback on the film.

And just think of all the opportunities for a sequel:

• Bodoni
• Garamond
• Franklin Gothic
• Times…