| Description |
1 videodisc (80 mins.) : sound color ; 4 3/4 in. + 1 booklet (8 pages : color illustrations ; 19 cm.) |
| System Details |
DVD; Region 1, NTSC; Dolby Digital; presented in the widescreen aspect ratio of the film's original theatrical exhibition, 1.78:1. |
| Performer |
Featuring Manfred Schulz, Massimo Vignelli, Rick Poynor, Wim Crouwel, Alfred Hoffmann, Mike Parker, Otmar Hoefer, Bruno Steinert, Hermann Zapf, Michael Bierut, Leslie Savan, Tobias Frere-Jones, Jonathan Hoefler, Erik Spiekermann, Neville Brody, Lars Müller, Paula Scher, Stefan Sagmeister, Experimental Jetset, Michael C. Place, Norm. |
| Credits |
Editor, Shelby Siegel ; director of photography, Luke Geissbühler |
| Note |
Originally produced as a documentary film in 2007. |
| Summary |
A documentary about a typeface? When said typeface is a ubiquitous piece of graphic design, yes. Helvetica--a sans-serif typeface developed in 1957 at the Haas Foundry in Munchenstein, Switzerland--has partisans and detractors, a great number of them graphic designers and theorists, who express their opinions on the famous font. It is seen as neutral and efficient, concise yet inexpressive, purposeful yet not caustic, utilitarian and unembellished, or as frustratingly familiar, perfectly subliminal, or as the typeface of socialism. From storefronts, street signs, product packaging, government forms, and advertisements, it is almost guaranteed that after viewing, you will be scanning the world examining Helvetica's continuing impact. |
| Contents |
Opening (with Manfred Schulz) -- Massimo Vignelli -- Graphic design in the 1950s -- Amsterdam & Wim Crouwel -- Matthew Carter -- Helvetica story -- Linotype -- Widgco -- Hoefler & Frere-Jones -- Berlin & Erik Spiekermann -- Type's "secret spell" -- Lars Müller -- Paula Scher -- Stefan Sagmeister -- David Carson -- Experimental Jetset -- Michael C. Place -- Norm -- Democratization -- What we have now. |
| Note |
Special features: Massimo Vignelli -- Wim Crouwel -- Matthew Carter -- Mike Parker -- Otmar Hoefer & Bruno Steinert -- Hermann Zapf -- Hoefler & Frere-Jones -- Erik Spiekermann -- Neville Brody -- Michael Bierut -- Paula Scher -- Stefan Sagmeister -- David Carson -- Experimental Jetset -- Michael C. Place -- Norm -- Rick Poyner (95 minutes). |
| Language |
In English with optional subtitles in English or German. |
| Note |
GMD: videorecording. |
| Subject |
Graphic arts.
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Typographers.
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Sans serif type.
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Type and type-founding.
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Type and type-founding -- Design.
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Type and type-founding -- Digital techniques.
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Type and type-founding -- History -- 20th century.
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Type and type-founding -- Switzerland -- 20th century.
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Typographers -- Germany.
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Typographers -- Great Britain.
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Typographers -- Netherlands.
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Typographers -- United States.
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Graphic design (Typography)
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Visual communication.
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| Genre/Form |
Documentary films.
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| Added Author |
Hustwit, Gary.
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Swiss Dots (Firm)
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Veer (Firm)
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Plexifilm (Firm)
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| Standard No. |
082354004224 |
| Music No. |
031 Plexifilm |
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