Helvetica, Zagreb

You see it on your way to work or school. Some of you may even recognize it if you are somehow related to type design or just an enthusiast. Its beauty is matter of personal taste at the end, but the fact that this is the default typeface of any modern visual culture cannot be so easily disputed. Without the desire to analyze the reason and step into discussions about perfect and linear stroke terminations, carefully designed glyph system so kern could function brilliantly regardless the glyph size, originally called Neue Haas Grotesk is the standard typeface of our time. Just like the water is.

When seeing Helvetica documentary I remember when Matthew Carter said that whoever got the task to modernize or remix it, it would be very interesting to see what the outcome would be and he additionally admitted he wouldn’t know what to do if the job was handed to him.

The thing I find fascinating about Helvetica is the very first glyph a, and its variation between Helvetica 65 Medium (and other non bold versions) and Helvetica 75 Bold (and other bold versions) family. If you want to know more about the origin of the glyph, click here.

difference between Helvetica 65 Medium (left) and Helvetica 75 Bold (right)

65 Medium stroke termination if just outlined in greater size would reflect negatively on kern between a and other glyph (especially oval one) which would decrease in legibility.

Standard typeface, stripped to the bones just to communicate the message as quickly as possible, but the typeface which developed warmth and admiration with time.

Helvetica in Zagreb, Croatia. Watch and enjoy.

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