As I spent the earlier part of this weekend meshing my fingers against the keyboard in an attempt to finish my homework for the coming week, I took a moment to examine the keyboard’s typeface, which much to my surprise (or lack there of) utilized Helvetica font.
Even more-so amusing was the bold and elongated typeface out-front the Japanese restaurant I payed a visit to over the weekend named Kanki. Venturing inside and waiting to be seated, the hostess hands a Japanese-to-English menu to me and my accompanying aunt and cousin. As we await our server, we each take several minutes to browse through the large selection of meats, salads and grilled entrees, with vivid descriptions of each dish that are delivered using Helvetica font. I can admit to not being an entirely font-faced thinker, however, one cannot help but to notice that the Helvetica typeface has left its global blueprint on every objectionable crevice of the human world. So much, that it get shoveled into the back of our minds, or even like gum choked up on the bottom of our shoes is always there until we take a second glance and a moment of reflection to even witness its existence.
From Italy to Japan, America to China, Helvetica is collectively the primary typeface of our global society. Imprinted on everything from Talbots to toolboxes, its design and integration is little considered as the message it procures. The font, which contains big and bold characters that are spaced narrowly enough to understand the displayed words and wide enough so that there is little confusion to their meaning are so intricately designed as to tell stories, create logos, share history and relay transportation information. All the more reasons to ponder on the transnational impact of Helvetica is the bond that it employs us as human beings. Looking past obvious language barriers, it is in many ways a communal symbol. One that we all except and understand in some way, shape or form. A international translator that encompasses various rifts and style sways of font that isn’t immune to interpretation from English, American or Indian populations. Glancing upon some of our beloved food, sports, music and fashion icons, it would make sense that a slewing majority of corresponding logo, event and industry font falls in the Helvetica category. After watching the movie, I could only come to understand the typeface, dive into its history and realize its purpose and its place in society. Dating back to several decades of the faded Arial and other redundant typefaces, it was as if a font culture wash came to eradicate the world of depressing and seemingly mundane fonts. And scores later, it is truly amazing to see the potential that a few variable curves, lines and contours have to make a global icon that is seen, read and interpreted by millions.
Never before watching “Helvetica” or before typing this blog-post did I fathom doing such an introspective write-up of font. However, it is my aspiration that my acquired understanding of it will strengthen my means of communication and design using everyday text.