Helvetica Type Specimen Book

Page 1

Helvetica


H 1957 Helvetica

Helvetica is, without a doubt, the most widely used commissioned by Edward Hoffman and developed foundry in Switzerland. It cause a deep impact on a 1960s. Hass type foundry set out to design a new s the successful Akzidenz-Grotesk in the Swiss mark design was based on Schelter-Grotesk and Haas N

The aim of the new design was to create a neutral meaning in its form, and could be used on a wide v ever since. Helvetica, with its tall x-height and clean smaller type sizes.

The Helvetica type family is one of the largest, offe ranging from light to extrabold and condensed to e Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the subway s helped show how influential this font has become i


d sans serif typeface in the world. It was d by Max Miedinger in 1957 for the Hass type advertising and corporate branding in the sans-serif typeface that could compete with ket. Orignally called Neue Haas Grotesk, its Normal Grotesk.

typeface that had great clarity, no intrinstic variety of signage. Its popularity has increased n design, is a very legible typeface, even in the

ering the designer a wide choice of type styles extended. It is the official typeface used in the system in New York City. The film, Helvetica, in the world.

Max Miedinger


Introduction of the roman (or normal) version of Haas-Grotesk.

Eduard Hoffmann, the director of the Haas’sche SchriftgieĂ&#x;erei, commissions Miedinger to develop a new sans-serif typeface.

1956

1957

The typeface changes its name from Neue Haas Grotesk to Helvetica in order to make it more marketable internationally.

1958

1959

1960

Introduction of the bold version of Haas-Grotesk. Neue hass grotesk was developed in 1957 by Max Miedinger with Eduard Hoffmann at the Haas Type Foundry, Switzerland.

1964

The American comp Linotype, now the p company of the Haa Foundry, adopted H as the logotype on a equipment.


The renowned Italian designer Massimo Vignelli redesigned George Salomon's New York Subway map. Neue Helvetica was developed in 1983 and has more structurally uniďŹ ed heights and widths among its characters.

1972

pany parent as Type Helvetica all of their

1978

1983

2009

Neue Haas Grotesk is the most recent digitisation of Helvetica's precursor, completed by type designer Christian Schwartz in 2004. This project was completed in 2010.

2010

Helvetica Rounded was developed in 1978 and includes rounded stroke terminators. It’s only available in bold and black versions.

2011

Neue Helvetica eText was developed in 2011, it is a version of Neue Helvetica optimised for on-screen use.

3M began using Helvetica in 1978. Neue Helvetica W1G was developed in 2009, it is a version with Latin Extended, Greek, Cyrillic scripts support.


Helve capline

cap height

x-height

apex

bowl

stress

counter

arm

stem

spur

N O stroke

axis

ascender

bowl crossbar hook

tail

shoulder

ascender tittle

spine

stem

should

abc defghi j kl m n eye

stress spur

cross counter stroke

terminal

leg

aperture


etica set width

kerning

ascender line mean line

base line

overshoot

I crossbar

stem

K arc of stem

U stem

leg

stem

vertex

X Y Z

open counter

vertex

bowl

der

descender line

shoulder

stroke

crotch aperture apex

diagonal stroke

nop qr stuvw x y z axis

descender

spine terminal

vertex

tail


It’s the most used typeface for a reason.

Helvetica was designed in post-war Europe, and numerous organizations were searching for a change. Helvetica’s sleek lines and modern sensibilities were simply what companies were looking for to remake their identities and set themselves apart from the past. It is particularly well suited to signage and other designs where legibility is key. This is further reinforced by the wide variety of companies that have used the font in their logos or other corporate identity materials.


It’s the largest typeface for a reason.

Helvetica was specifically designed to be neutral, clean and versatile. It does not give an impression or have any inherent meaning. And because of this, it’s very adaptable to use for any design purposes. There have been a number of Helvetica variations created. From ultra light to black, it is a font that rides the line between classic and modern, conservative and edgy, or elegant and relaxed. This font is a great representation of design professionalism.

Ultra Light Thin Light Roman Medium Bold Heavy Black


“It’s air, you know. It’s just there. There’s no choice. You have to breather, so you have to use Helvetica.” - Erik Spikermann

“And Helvetica maybe has everything and that’s perhaps part of its appeal.” - Jonathan Hoefler

“You can say ”I love you” in Helvetica. And you can say it with Helvetica Extra Light if you want to be really fancy. Or you can say it with the Extra Bold if it’s really intensive and peassionate.” - Massimo Vignelli

“The meaning is in the content of the text and not in the typeface, and that is why we loved Helvetica very much.” - Wim Crouwel


HELVETICA IS DESCRIBE AS

SIMPLE, NEUTRAL, MODERN,

CLEAR

EITHER A TYPE

YOUR OPINON IS TO SEE

MAKE

HELVETICA BUT THE ONLY

WAY TO

HATE

FACE LOVE

OR

DESIGNER

AND UNDERSTAND IT YOURSELF


A designer best friend.


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