Independent Lens produced an entire documentary about a typeface that changed the world: Helvetica.
“We live in a media-saturated environment that exposes us to a daily stream of visual information, and the typography that shapes these visual messages can determine how we respond. HELVETICA, ostensibly a film about a typeface, delves into the world of graphic arts and takes a deeper look into style changes and the controversies over the role of graphic designer since World War II. Filmmaker Gary Hustwit explores urban spaces and the typefaces that inhabit them, speaking with renowned historians and designers about the choices and aesthetics behind the use of certain fonts.”
What Font Are You?—Take the quiz!
OTHER TYPEFACE NEWS…
includes the announcement that type designer Matthew Carter was one of the 23 winners of 2010’s prestigious MacArthur “Genius” Award (which includes a $500,000 stipend paid over 5 years). Carter has designed more than 60 font families, including the popular Verdana and Tahoma.
A National Public Radio story on the 9-28-10 edition of All Things Considered notes: “His recent work has focused on developing highly legible fonts for computer screens, including the small screens of low-resolution, handheld devices.” (You can read the full story on the NPR website.)