Helvetica

4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (60 customer reviews)
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. 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, Alfred Hoffmann, Mike Parker, Bruno Steinert, Otmar Hoefer, Leslie Savan, Rick Poynor, Lars Muller, and many more.
  • Starring: Erik Spiekermann, Matthew Carter
  • Directed by: Gary Hustwit
  • Runtime: 1 hour 22 minutes
  • Release year: 2007
  • Studio: Plexifilm
 
  
 
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Product Details
Synopsis: 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. 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, Alfred Hoffmann, Mike Parker, Bruno Steinert, Otmar Hoefer, Leslie Savan, Rick Poynor, Lars Muller, and many more.
Starring: Erik Spiekermann, Matthew Carter
Supporting actors: Massimo Vignelli, Michael Bierut, Neville Brody, Dimitri Bruni, David Carson, Wim Crouwel, Tobias Frere-Jones, Otmar Hoefer, Jonathan Hoefler, Alfred Hoffmann, Manuel Krebs, Lars Moller, Mike Parker, Michael C. Place, Rick Poynor, Stefan Sagmeister, Leslie Savan, Paula Scher, Bruno Steinert, Danny van den Dungen
Directed by: Gary Hustwit
Genre: Documentary
Runtime: 1 hour 22 minutes
Release year: 2007
Studio: Plexifilm
ASIN: B002RIOGI0 (Rental) and B002RIN8FM (Purchase)
Rights & Requirements
Rental rights: 7 day viewing period Details
Purchase rights: Stream instantly and download to 2 locations. Details
Compatible with: Mac and Windows PC online viewing, compatible instant streaming devices, TiVo DVRs. System requirements
Format: Amazon Instant Video (streaming online video and digital download)
Theatrical Release Information
  • US Theatrical Release Date: September 12, 2007
  • Production Company: Veer, Swiss Dots
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Customer Reviews

60 Reviews
5 star:
 (39)
4 star:
 (15)
3 star:
 (3)
2 star:
 (1)
1 star:
 (2)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.5 out of 5 stars (60 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Love Helvetica, Hate Helvetica...See Helvetica, November 9, 2007
By 
Ronda Davis (Atlanta, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: Helvetica (DVD)
The historical significance of the typeface as well as the on-going evolution of typography make this a must see for anyone interested in typography and graphic design, but also a fine entertainment for film enthusiasts. Compelling interviews with notable professionals are informative, witty and often hilarious. Visuals run the gamut from elegance to true grit. Kudos to Gary Hustwit and his crew for this living history before it is not longer possible.
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29 of 32 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars My old friend is now a movie star, May 1, 2008
This review is from: Helvetica (DVD)

I'm a working graphic designer.

I'm an art graduate. As a child, I enjoyed to look at fonts for hours - a Letraset catalogue(titled in big Helvetica letters) from the 80s was one of my (most) prized possessions.

When I first heard about this movie I was thrilled. Now that I saw it, I can say it was worth my time. The movie is smart, witty, and a pleasure to behold - an endless stream of layouts. And valuable insights, commentaries and history. Oh yes, the film is also inspirational - it makes you think about good design. It makes you desire good design, whatever that may mean today.

My favourite quote from the movie:
"The life of a designer is a life of fighting--fight against the ugliness, just like a doctor fights against disease. For us visual disease is what we have around and what we try to do is try to cure it somehow, you know, with design." Thanks Mr. Vignelli for putting things into perspective.

Given Helvetica's importance in design history, this is not a movie you should miss.

I first saw Helvetica(the font) as a child, I first acknowledged it as a high school design student, now it's one of my 3 most used fonts at work. I know it's flaws and shortcomings, and I've come to rely on it's many strengths and virtues. It's versatile, strong and straightforward. It's one you can trust. It's also got a softer side, when you come to know her better. It's an old friend of mine, that now is starring in it's own movie! Now that's something to celebrate.

Cheers, Helvetica! Cheers, old friend!
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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Do you love documentaries?, November 16, 2007
By 
Ann Makowski (Alexandria, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: Helvetica (DVD)
If so, this is the film for you. I was lucky enough to see it at the annual conference of the Society for Environmental Graphic Design - and loved it! It's accessible not only to designers but also to me - the biology major in the room. Gotta love a detailed history of something that you see every day - but may not notice.
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