Helvetica and Art

Similar to what has already been commented upon, it is interesting how the room is almost split down the middle when it come to font preference, channeling the documentary itself. I prefer Times New Roman, mainly out of habit; many of professors have required my papers to be in Times New Roman, and it simply became route after that. However, other fonts such as Arial, appear to be too loose and helter skelter. Similar to when the class toured the Drew exhibit, several of us history majors seemed to travel in packs, almost as if that would protect us from the terrifying abstract art and the horrifying fact that the information texts were sparse.

It is no surprise that there was a need for a font like Helvetica. As demonstrated in the readings by Marling, the late 1940’s and early 1950’s was a time of excess and glitz, there is no wonder that a need for basic and simpler type font would emerge. Although I think the gentleman who was critiquing the fonts in display in the Life Magazine, went a little too far. That magazine must be analyzed in the context, not on the personal whims of an individual. Helvetica is a symbol, harkening back to the readings, of the medium is the message. Helvetica represents utilitarian and practicality. A rejection of the old. However it is interesting, that some designers got tired of the crisp and clean line of Helvetica. Helvetica when it was first developed, was new and revolutionary, yet now it is consider old and conservative. The font decorated everything from Gap stores to bathrooms, expressing its wide appeal. The documentary is also a message itself, it is an example of how something previously thought of as mundane (a font) and shows the evolution and impact of a font, and it’s multiple uses and views.

I liked the concept that Claire brought up on Facebook vs. Myspace. In the beginning one of the enticing features of Myspace, was the availability to change and customize. Yet, now when most people have switches over to Facebook, there is massive uproar whenever Facebook updates itself, or when it tries to copy Myspace. Are designs and preferences even circular in the digital age?