Helvetica!!

Google search-Helvetica was developed in 1957 by Max Miedinger with Eduard Hoffmann at the Haas'sche Schriftgiesserei (Haas type foundry) of Münchenstein, Switzerland. Haas set out to design a new sans-serif typeface that could compete with the successful Akzidenz-Grotesk in the Swiss market. Originally called Neue Haas Grotesk, its design was based on Schelter-Grotesk and Haas’ Normal Grotesk. The aim of the new design was to create a neutral typeface that had great clarity, no intrinsic meaning in its form, and could be used on a wide variety of signage.When Linotype adopted Neue Haas Grotesk (which was never planned to be a full range of mechanical and hot-metal typefaces) its design was reworked. After the success of Univers, Arthur Ritzel of Stempel redesigned Neue Haas Grotesk into a larger family.In 1960, the typeface's name was changed by Haas' German parent company Stempel to Helvetica (derived from Confoederatio Helvetica, the Latin name for Switzerland) in order to make it more marketable internationally. It was initially suggested that the type be called 'Helvetia' which is the original Latin name for Switzerland. This was ignored by Eduard Hoffmann as he decided it wouldn't be appropriate to name a type after a country. He then decided on 'Helvetica' as this meant 'Swiss' as opposed to 'Switzerland'.


After seeing the video in class I really didnt know how much text played a part in design it self. It should me that text has a life its self and using the wron text to get a meaning across would be a bad idea in any designer part. Im in a publication design class and the teacher alway tells use that the copy (text) plays a large part in the design of ad, newslette, or any form of media press. Text is every where and always view by millions everyday.Even our government uses Helvetica for it’s IRS forms and all the Government buildings used it for legal forms. Looking up the text, its not free to download Helvetica is a powerful text its self and many companies use it to get their message across. Even as I type this Blog right now the text is telling me something its near important and says read me I might be interesting to read. For now on I will think of text as form of design choice and make sher it can get the massage across clearly.