Helvetica is one of the most ubiquitous typefaces. First developed by Max Miedinger(and Eduard Hoffmann) in 1957. There have been numerous iterations of this typeface including an improved set called Helvetica Neue where adjustments were made to enhance legibility and cohesiveness. Because of Helvetica’s success, there have also been countless derivative typefaces produced that try to capture the qualities of the typeface. Others have used Helvetica as a starting point to create more expressive variations.
In Yale Architecture’s Constructs publication, David Reinfurt and Joe Pirret began a project called Helvetica Neue R where headlines were set in variations of Helvetica Neue. These variations were to emphasize different modes of production…including low resolution bitmapping, machine translation, 3-D characters, preview mode from Adobe Illustrator, and various network communications like GPS, Palm Pilot interface, and scripting languages.¹
Description
Make a new weight of Helvetica Neue that is not simply a bold or italic, extended or condensed. Your weight should add to, complicate, or personalize Helvetica in some way. Create at least one version of each letter in the alphabet, but it doesn’t have to necessarily be all caps or all lowercase. You must use both analog(x-acto, pen, tape, etc.) and digital(laptop, camera, phone, software, etc.) tools in some way. After you create your typeface, create a specimen poster for it.
The poster can be physical or digital. If the poster is a printed poster, then you can choose the size and paper type. Keep in mind the size of the poster and why you chose that size. If it is a digital poster, then there must be a reason that supports the concept behind the typeface. For example, if there is movement/animation involved, then it can be a digital poster.
Objectives
— Derive new work from an existing design
— Implement both analog and digital processes
— Explore different means of working and how technology affects outcome
— Learn the anatomy of a typeface
— Explore the meanings of legibility and readability
Legibility: the ease with which a reader can recognize individual characters in text
Readability: the ease with which a reader can understand a written text
Schedule
Wed, March 13
— Assign Project 01
— Begin research, brainstorming, and sketching
— Create presentation on 3+ ideas
Mon, March 18
— Present ideas
— Gather materials
— In-class work session
Wed, March 20
— Desk crits
— In-class work session
Mon, March 25
— Critique of Project 01
— Assign Project 02
Resources
Below are ideas, questions, lists, and links to help get you started. These are starting points and should not limit you in how you approach this project. Read and pilfer through this stuff. We’ll talk about some of it throughout the project.
Possible materials, tools, processes
This is a general list of materials and tools that you could explore. You can certainly expand outside of this list: pencil, pen, charcoal, chalk, spray paint, thread, ink, water, food, rocks, leaves, light/shadows, tape, x-acto, paper, wood, fabric, screen print, laser cutter, CNC router, stipple, stencil.
Where to start
Here are some ideas or questions to get you started with your research and brainstorming and to think through as you begin making.
What is a material that you have always been curious to use in your work but haven’t?
What is something you love and how can you combine that with this assignment?
What tool do you suck at and want to get better at using?
What makes Helvetica Helvetica? How can you undermine that?
Background
Description
Objectives
Schedule
Resources