I Love Helvetica (The Documentary Film by Gary Hustwit)

On the Friday evening that my relatives concluded their three-week visit to the States, I had received something in the mail. I did not know what it was, for I did not recognize the sender’s origin. Then I felt the bubble-lined yellow envelope and felt the slight crack of a DVD case. Did I order a DVD? On Half.com? Amazon? No. I don’t think so. Then I remember. Helvetica!

I was already excited the evening, not exactly because my relatives were finally leaving, but that I get to sleep in my bed again. So receiving the two-days-late DVD in the mail on that night just made my day, or night. I opened the envelope and looked at the beautiful white cover through the plastic shrink wrap. Then I discovered two Veer Helvetica pins (the ones that say “I love [or “I hate”] Helvetica.”). Yay! Extras! I happily took photos of them, and neatly put them away that night.

As of now (almost two weeks since receiving the DVD), I still haven’t opened it. I’ve been trying to catch up with everything ever since my relatives left, and I’m waiting for a nice relaxed day to enjoy the movie and soak up inspiration once more and take notes. I saw it on August 6 in San Francisco, which was the day I moved most of my stuff back home from college, and I knew then that I had to buy the DVD when it comes out. I’m also thinking of having a Helvetica viewing among my designer friends, whenever I get around to organizing that.

Quick Review

Anywho, I think that all designers, especially students, need to get this DVD, or at least have watched it at least once, twice or more recommended. It’s not about whether you like Helvetica, because I am certainly not choosing a side on this typeface (hence the clarification in the entry title). It’s that even if you don’t like Helvetica, it still is an important part of graphic design history, and of modern life! You have to watch this film not for the typeface, but for the history, and for the designers who were interviewed. You need to know who they are, so you can figure out what kind of designer you want to be (you’re not required to follow any of their footsteps, but knowing who they are can help you figure out who you don’t want to be, too.) So I recommend all design-passionate people to watch this film, especially my peeps back in Davis.

Buy here.

Flush.