Helvetica, the Swiss-knife of Fonts, was designed in 1957 by designer Max Miedinger. Helvetica can be seen on almost every sign, slogan, or billboard and it is also used vastly in the art of logo designs of many famous companies. The reason it is so widespread and popular is because it is the safest and most neutral font choice. Much of Helvetica's appeal come from its timelessness and neutrality - letters so ubiquitous they become part of the communication. It may be the most played out typeface ever but it's aura will remain forever.

2. HELVETICA
Designed in 1957 by Max Miedinger, Helvetica’s
design is based on that of Akzidenz Grotesk
(1896), and classified as a Grotesque or
Transitional san serif face. Originally it was called
Neue Haas Grotesque; in 1960 it was revised and
renamed Helvetica (Latin for “Swiss”).
Source: http://ilovetypography.com

3. HELVETICA
IS
UBIQUITOUS
1.

4. Whether you like it or not, Helvetica is everywhere!

5. SANS
SERIF’S
PRIDE
2.

6. Helvetica is no doubt the most widely used SANS SERIF out there. It
comes as a native font for Unix and Macintosh computers as well
as PostScript printers. However, Arial is gaining popularity on
modern operating systems.
Impact Futura
Comic Sans Arial
Helvetica
Verdana Tahoma
Century Gothic
Geneva
Trebuchet
Myriad

7. HELVETICA VS.
ARIAL:
THE USUAL
CONTENDER
3.

8. a
Shoo! Go
Away, Arial.
a
But, Helvetica!
Helvetica and Arial are often
tangled, and the subjects of
mistaken identity.
Arial, born in 1982 by Robin
Nicholas and Patricia Saunders
for Monotype, is often referred
to as a clone or rip-off of
Helvetica, designed to avoid
huge licensing fees of the
premium typeface. However,
closer assessment of the two
fonts discloses subtle tinges
that perhaps escape off-the-cuff
glances.

9. THE OF
FONTS
SWISS
4.
KNIFE

10. Helvetica embodies the
concept that a
typeface’s primary job
is to communicate
across mediums. So,
be it print, web or
hybrid communication –
Helvetica does the job
exceptionally well.
BROCHURE
WEBSITE
MAGAZINE MOBILE
LOGO

11. HOT
AND
HAPPY
5.
Yay!
Whoa!

12. Helvetica brings HOTNESS and HAPPINESS in
design. It remains crisp irrespective of the medium
and loves connecting with the neighboring fonts.

13. 6.

14. Helvetica comes with a wide range of weight and
width options to select from. But the beauty of the font
is, it looks simple and readable – even in Lt or Hv.
HELVETICA
It’s all in the family! ;)

15. 7.

16. The reason Helvetica is so widespread is because it is the
SAFEST and most NEUTRAL font choice. The versatile
typeface, with its unadorned forms, adapts quickly and lets
designers communicate without distraction.
H
H
e
E
h
e
V

17. Do Designers
Love
Helvetica?
8.

18. For me Helvetica is just
this beautiful, timeless
thing.
And certain things shouldn't be
messed with, you know?
- Michael C. Place
A real typeface needs
rhythm, needs
contrast.
HELVETICA HASN’T
GOT ANY OF THAT.
- Erik Spiekermann
You can say
I LOVE YOU
in Helvetica.
You can say it with
Helvetica Extra Light
if you want to be
really FANCY.
You can say it with
Helvetica Extra Dark
if you want to be
really LOUD.
You can say
I HATE YOU
in Helvetica.
I have never designed a
logotype without first
trying it in Helvetica. It is
still the most versatile,
classic and readable of all
typefaces.
- STEFF GEISSBUHLER
People ask me
why I use
Helvetica so often.
I say, “Because it
cost me over
£1000
to buy, that's
why!”
- Graham Smith
Massimo
Vignelli

19. So, what do you think of
HELVETICA
now?