Helvetica History (Swiss Style)

Characteristics

Helvetica’s tight apertures contribute to a regular, dense design. Tall x-height, which makes it easier to read at distance. Tight spacing between letters. An oblique rather than italic style, a common feature of almost all grotesque and neo-grotesque typefaces. Wide capitals of uniform width,particularly obvious in the wide ‘E’ and F’.

Helvetica

Helvetica was developed in 1957 by Max Miedinger with Eduard Hoffmann at the Haas’sche Schriftgiesserei (Haas type foundry) of Münchenstein, Switzerland. Haas set out to design a new sans-serif typeface that could compete with Akzidenz-Grotesk in the Swiss market. Originally called Die Neue Haas Grotesk, it was created based on Schelter-Grotesk. The aim of the new design was to create a neutral typeface that had great clarity, had no intrinsic meaning in its form, and could be used on a wide variety of signage.

• Helvetica is a safe choice for anyone who is too afraid or too lazy to choose something else

• Helvetica is preferred because it is a neutral design that is compatible with any kind of content and will not distract from it.

• Helvetica is very adpatable to use for different design projects.

• Helvetica’s inherent qualities are straightforward. It’s a neo-grotesque with even proportions, low stroke contrast, and a simple and logical finishing of details.

• Helvetica is simple,clean, and unassuming.

Why designers love it?

Inspired alternatives of Helvetica

Akzidenz Grotesk

Released in 1898, before Helvetica was even thought of, Akzidenz Grotesk is one of the typefaces that helped start the whole neo-grotesque movement of the early 20th century. It’s the grandfather of Helvetica, and inspired many other typefaces in the ‘Swiss Style’. Akzidenz is smaller, rounder and less dense than its 1950s successor, so although extremely clean and neutral, it’s that little bit friendlier and more approachable.

FF Bau

Designed by Christian Schwartz for FontShop International in 2002, this modern alternative to Helvetica has more in common with the Swiss giant’s quirkier. Designed to suit modern typographical needs, without ever sacrificing personality at the altar of practicality (a criticism all-too often levied at Helvetica), FF Bau sports a distinctive double-storey ‘g’ and a lowercase ‘a’ that keeps hold of its tail in all available weights.

Christian Schwartz, 2002

Inspired alternatives of Helvetica

FAMOUS BRANDS THAT USE HELVETICA