MovieChat Forums > Helvetica (2007) Discussion > The font vs the text

The font vs the text

posted 16 years ago by TheRationalist
4 replies | jump to latest

Haven't seen the movie. In the Wikipedia article on Helvetica font, there is a quote from the movie, a statement by a graphics designer, who says one of the things they love about Helvetica is that it is neutral. He goes on to say "The meaning should be in the text, not in the typeface."

I disagree. What would be wrong with letting the typeface help characterize the text, in the the same way that movie directors characterize the mood with music? Suppose a large corporation is putting out two messages to all employees, one about a new program of child care centers at each campus, the other about an new emplyoyee stock-buying plan. Why not use a folksy font for the child care message, and a conservative font for the stock plan? Let the font help with the message.

My favorite opera is Die Valkure. I've always loved horses.

[–] lingh0e 16 years ago

I have not seen the movie either. I'm going to go out on a limb, however, and assume that the movie covers this very aspect of typography... in great detail I hope.

[–] AxlRoseMETALLICA 16 years ago

This movie is fantastic. I does address aspects of font vs. text and incorperating text in designs and such. It also gives many different viewpoints about it. It is a very good view if you are interested in graphic design.

[–] Dukat-4 15 years ago

That's one of the big disagreements inside the design community, with staunch supporters for each side. Both are well represented in the movie, which I can only recommend for anyone interested in graphic design.

I'm not a designer. I'm a scientist who only wants to convey information. Let me tell you that any presentation I ever attended that used Helvetica or similar fonts (even *cough*Arial*cough*) was better and more informative than those who used other fonts, or some PowerPoint templates.

It may be boring, but Helvetica is the best to choose when you want to keep emotions out.

[–] twelvepointnine 15 years ago

It may be boring, but Helvetica is the best to choose when you want to keep emotions out.

It does represent certain values (or emotions as you like): trustworty, serious, to the point. It just doesn't say "LOOK AT ME" like certain font types do, it focusses on the way the message should be delivered, as something worth noticing.