INDEPENDENT LENS | Helvetica | Trailer | PBS

http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/helvetica You can't escape if you try -- it's on your computer, the subway, U.S. mailboxes, IRS tax forms, and spells out countless corporate logos from Target to Fendi. No doubt, Helvetica is the king of fonts. But why? To find the answer, first-time Director Gary Hustwit meets with historians and designers whose passion for typefaces run high, and discovers the secrets behind the fonts we use and read every day.

HELVETICA premieres Tuesday, January 6 on Independent Lens, a weekly series airing on PBS. Hosted by Terrence Howard, the acclaimed series showcases powerful and innovative independent films. Presented by ITVS, Independent Lens is broadcast on PBS stations nationwide.

Visit the Web site for more:
http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/helvetica

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• arts
• communication
• culture
• design
• documentaries
• fonts
• global
• graphic
• helvetica
• independent
• lens
• pbs
• tv
• typography

[mythricia]

@thor718 Define having a life? If your definition of having a life is ignorance and lack of education then feel free to call me dead.

[thor718]

Wow, I dont know if a documentary could ever be about something more boring that no one with a life gives a shit about.

[THATGUY71]

@mudkipNDS It's not ironic at all. Those titles are the ones that were inserted for PBS's feature and nothing to do with the film

[mudkipNDS]

How ironic that the title "Helvetica" isn't in Helvetica. :P

[Slurrpee]

what is the White House official typeface?

[logtype47]

I am a highly awarded member of the creative class. As a branding consultant, I am conflicted by my work. I spend the better portion of my day fostering corporate clients whose aim is to visually proliferate every aspect of your life. These companies are driven by market share and have a low regard for consumers beyond their ability to purchase product.

[yessongs1]

I prefer comic sans.

[voyeurdug]

In the 1970's, Book bold, italic, was in a bunch of logos, and then disappeared, for the most part, except as a decorative typeface.

Courier, new (or expanded), is, to me, exceptionally easy to read, although it takes up a lot of column width.

The most elegant I've seen is the White House official correspondence typeface.