In class we were given the choice from a dozen typefaces and we had to choose 1 to create a type specimen screen from. We were given some classic typefaces and some more modern ones and the one that I chose was Helvetica.
The reason why I chose Helvetica is because it is one of the most famous and influential typefaces of the 20th century. When I found out there was a movie about this typeface then I realised how important it must be which is why I wanted to choose it.
Helvetica was designed in 1957 by Max Miedinger and Edward Hoffmann. It’s original name was Neue Haas Grotesk and was renamed Helvetica in 1960, a representation to Helvetia which is the Latin word for Switzerland. The reason it was named this is because Switzerland is known as the centre of modern graphic design. Some examples of companies that use Helvetica are BMW, Nestle, Kawasaki and Skype.
I then done some research of Helvetica type specimen screens online and here are some that I found which I like.
Using these type specimen screens I then done some 9 sketches of my own of Helvetica. I enjoyed using the space in each frame differently, rotating the typeface at a different angle, and also using different sizes of letter to emphasise certain things.
I then chose 2 that I thought were the best and made bigger sketches of them with slight altercations.
I then moved onto Figma and designed 3 of my sketches using only black and white to see what they would look like.
The first design I created involves the letter ‘H’ being very large and at a diagonal compared to the rest of the text. I think this design is very simple but also aesthetically pleasing.
My second design used a more formal approach with all of the letters staying at the same angle, but this time I divided the frame into 3 rows, and used both the upper and lower case ‘H’.
My third design was actually one that I hadn’t sketched on paper but when I was playing about on Figma I ended up creating. I like how ‘helvetica’ and the alphabet is repeated but in different weights as it creates a cool design and makes you want to give it a second look.
