Design Context

Helvetica.

“Anyone who uses Helvetica knows 
nothing about typefaces.” (Wolfgang Weingart)

I can't help but agree with Wolfgang and yes I notice the irony of my blog header and some posts being in helvetica//neue. I must admit when i first learnt about helvetica I was constantly using it. I thought 'Oh it's beautiful. Just look at how the leg of the letter "R" just curves like that'

It was only when I looked back at a few weeks of design work that I had used just helvetica. That was when I noticed I had used it because it was a "Safe" typeface to use. It's underapreciated by the untrained because we constantly see it. Especially in branding. It was the typeface of the 20th century. I'm in no way saying helvetica is a poor typeface and I almost feel guilty saying all this. I just think it's lost that sense of sentimentality and it's the branded corporations robbing that sentimentality. Nevertheless, when you look at the anatomy of helvetica you can really appreciate the beauty and almost elegance of the typeface.