OUGD401 Context Of Practice - Studio Brief 1 - Task 5

'Write an analysis of one typeface that you find interesting. Pay attention to-

•Uses and applications (past and present). What publications / texts was the typeface used in? What audiences would engage with it?

•History & Context. What date was the typeface made? What was the relation of this typeface to others around it?

•Type classification / font family. Old Style? Swiss Modern?

•Form vs Function. Is this type decorative 'stunt typography?

•Connotations & cultural codes

•Use three quotes from Warde or Bayer'

Helvetica.
Sans Serif.
1957.
By Max Miedinger, Eduard Hoffmann.

Helvetica is very similar toAkzidenz Grotesk

Based on Haas type foundries normal grotesk

NYC Subway designed by Vignelli.

American Apparel

The idea that modernist typefaces such as Helvetica relate to this metaphor of a clear glass is easily understood. Helvetica, although it does have some decoration (a, R) it does not alter the message of the copy. 

A nice metaphor about the the relationship of readability and legibility.

Helvetica is often refered to as being emotionless and cold, but the fact it is being described as anything at all is somewhat contradictory surely?

In my opinion, Helvetica does not create a totally transparent window but a window with a selection of watermarks. Its common associations as well as the slight ornament (a, R) are these watermarks.