Things that make this world better: Birthday Cake ice cream. Getting so lost in a book you forget where you are. Marking everything off your to-do list. Helvetica. (Die Neue Haas Grotesk. I had to put something interesting so you’d be curious and read this. If you saw a typeface, you wouldn’t bother. It’s okay, I understand.)
I watched the Helvetica documentary today and it brought me back to my fascination with type and design. When I have one freelance project piled on top of the other and school to worry about, sometimes I forget how passionate I am about design. I forget about the typography and design books sitting on my bookshelf, collecting dust. I forget how excited I get when I create a design that’s simple, while eye-catching and strong. Placing the crisp, black, bold Helvetica over white background. The power of negative space. The ability for something easy to create to make such an impact.
Okay, I get it. I’m odd. I’m obsessed. I think I fall into this category…
“I’m obviously a typomaniac—which is an incurable if not mortal disease.” – - Erik Spiekermann
One day my roommate got me talking about type, and I think she regretted it. She said I probably have more emotion about Helvetica than my friends and family. Let’s hope that’s not true. But I guess we’ll never know. I’m one of those people that walk into a store because I like the way the sign looks. My favorite use of Helvetica: Crate&Barrel. It’s sqeaky clean and is more beautiful than the first snow of winter.
Heaven.
I’ve attached some images for your viewing pleasure. (I pulled a group clip so we may have some repeats.) Logos that look timeless and sharp, without of the use of insane typefaces that make me want to vomit.
Pay attention to the stores you shop at. If it has an ugly typeface, shop somewhere else. Fight the battle against bad design.
