- Semiotic Analysis of a type -
Helvetica was
typeface created back in 1957 by two Swiss designers named Max Meidinger and
Eduard Hoffman. It is one of the most widely used san serif
typefaces that exist today. The initial aim of the typeface was to be neutral
and easy on the eye so that it could be used globally on a wide variety of
signage. The fluent san serif type consists of the same weight throughout
making it strong and legible.
As Beatrice Warde once said “Type
well used is invisible as type, just as the perfect talking voice is the
unnoticed vehicle for the transmission of words, ideas.” This fits perfectly
with Helvetica, as it is a worldwide type to the point the majority of our
society will of seen the type yet not know its name or purpose. Although it was
created in 1957 it still has very much use in todays society such as the New
York subway signs, Panasonic, Evian water and even the American Airline logo.
The American Airline logo is the only airline in the past 40 years that have
not changed their identity, which shows the power and history of Helvetica
itself as there is not need to improve.
Herbert Bayer also once quoted “it is a fallacy to believe that styles can be created as easily and often as fashions change.” This also relates to Helvetica as it has many subtle styles that have been created to suit different purposes such Helvetica Neue; consisting of a large font family made up of regular, condensed, extended widths and outline.
Herbert Bayer also once quoted “it is a fallacy to believe that styles can be created as easily and often as fashions change.” This also relates to Helvetica as it has many subtle styles that have been created to suit different purposes such Helvetica Neue; consisting of a large font family made up of regular, condensed, extended widths and outline.
