Comments on: Helvetica, overused?

By: JJ

JJ — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 20:32:38 +0000

entirely overused…i find it funny that designers constantly preach innovation and creativity, yet are afraid to break out and use different typefaces than helvetica.

By: See what the new JC Penney logo should do–but can’t « riverboxx

See what the new JC Penney logo should do–but can’t « riverboxx — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 02:50:08 +0000

[...] I know brand-speak hype when I hear it. I also know movement when I see it–and no offense, but I don’t see movement in this new logo. I see “enney.” And Helvetica. Wow! Original. (Here’s a good quick post on that topic that sums up the Helvetica dilemma: Writing for Designers: Helvetica, overused?) [...]

By: victor

victor — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 20:18:03 +0000

I’ve noticed this before but I couldn’t name the typeface off the top of my head, even though Quark defaults to it everytime. I think that’s so many other typefaces that can bring a subtle nuance to a design other than Helvetica. When I see it in class, it kind of drives me nuts, because we are to reach out and grab better typefaces yet some people are content to stay on Helvetica.

By: jashcrof

jashcrof — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 00:47:14 +0000

I actually never even thought about this until reading this post. But it is true, Helvetica is really everywhere. And while a part of me thinks that it is boring to always see the same everywhere, I think it is a very valid marketing tool. I think they use it not only because it suggests cleanliness, etc. but because of readability. Many of the logos, or names that use the typeface use all uppercase lettering. TARGET and JEEP for example, and in the American Airlines logo, the two As are capitalized. Sometimes it can be difficult when using all caps, because the individual letters can blend into each other and look like simple geometric shapes and be harder to read. Helvetica allows the viewer to easily distinguish the individual letter, thus improving readability and brand recognition. So though boring, it is effective.