Helvetica
2007 · Movie · NR · 80 min · ★ 7.2 · 83% critics
This documentary explores how a single, widely used typeface became a defining part of modern visual culture. Through city street imagery and conversations with designers, it looks at the history, appeal, and controversy around everyday lettering—and how design choices quietly shape what we notice, trust, and ignore.
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Details
- Years
- 2007
- Release date
- 2007-09-12
- Language
- English
- Rated
- NR
- Runtime
- 80 min
- Critic score
- 83/100
- TMDB rating
- 7.2/10 (179 votes)
About
You’ll likely enjoy this if you’re curious about design, visual culture, or how everyday choices influence what we see, especially if you liked Terms and Conditions May Apply; Not for you if you dislike documentaries or slow, discussion-heavy viewing.
Pros: surprisingly engaging topic; eye-opening everyday details; passionate designer viewpoints | Cons: can feel slow; lots of talking heads; stretched-out runtime
Themes
- designer
- advertising
- font
- graphic design
- typography
- modernism
Cast & crew
- MB
Michael Bierut
as Himself
- NB
Neville Brody
as Himself
- DC
David Carson
as Himself
- MS
Manfred Schulz
as Himself
- MV
Massimo Vignelli
as Himself
- RP
Rick Poynor
as Himself
- WC
Wim Crouwel
as Himself
- MC
Matthew Carter
as Himself
- AH
Alfred Hoffmann
as Himself
- MP
Mike Parker
as Himself
Directed by Gary Hustwit