Today we will watch Gary Hustwit’s movie Helvetica, an independent film that explores not only the history and development of the Helvetica typeface, typography and graphic design in general, but also explores the dichotomy between the adherence to established principles of design and the desire to express one’s stylistic individuality and vision.
Objective:
- I can watch the movie Helvetica to learn about the history of typography and design, and express my thoughts on design in a brief reflection piece.
Vocabulary Words:
- Typeface
- Modernism
- Post-Modernism
- Rational
- Humanistic
Links:
Helvetica Film Website: https://www.hustwit.com/helvetica
Google Classroom: https://classroom.google.com
Topics Discussed:
- Modernism
- Grid Design
- Rational
- Post-Modernism
- Humanist
Assignment:
- Today and Friday, we will watch Gary Hustwit’s Helvetica, an outstanding independent film that documents the development of the typeface Helvetica as well as the history of graphic design as we know it today. We will watch the first half today, and the second half on Tuesday.
- Despite its original intent, Helvetica is a typeface that inspires strong opinions in graphic designers, both positive and negative. As you watch, notice how incredibly common the use of the typeface really is, and ask yourself how the sheer ubiquity of its presence makes you feel about Helvetica. Do you love it, do you hate it, or are you somewhere in between?
- Helvetica also explores the historical (and ongoing) struggle between the Rationalists who invented the principles of design that we studied earlier this year (and continue to use today) and championed the development and use of Helvetica, and the Post-Modernists who completely rebelled against these rules and sought to create type using anything except Helvetica. Which side do you prefer? Are you a structured rule-follower or a dynamic rule-breaker?
- Visit the Google Classroom and Open the “Helvetica Reflection 2024” Form attached at the bottom of the latest post.
- Answer each of the questions in the document using complete sentences. As always, please avoid using abbreviations, acronyms or “text speak”.
- You must have at least one complete sentence for each question in each prompt. (If you see two question marks, you need at least two sentences!)
- When you are finished, submit the form. If you need to go back and edit your answers, you can revisit the form page and change your answers anytime.
- Please submit this form to me before end of day on Friday, February 16th.
- Enjoy the show!
Assigned: February 15th, 2024
Teacher Pacing Due Date: February 16th, 2024
