We had an uber busy weekend. One of those weekends where you find yourself switching the laundry in between coming and going from the house. I know - why didn't we do laundry earlier? Who knows - and although we do love having clean clothes neither one of us loves to fold them and put them away - so we procrastinate. BUT - for some reason we did manage over the course of the weekend to watch the documentary, "Helvetica" - yes, that's right a movie all about the font, Helvetica. According to a lot of people (whose names I don't know but are very influential in their own mind) this font is either the most amazing thing in the world or this font sucks the life out of design. We watched this movie in spurts but I fell asleep so I can't really tell you what happened - but I do know this - the font, Arial, which is what this post is in - is the poor man's Helvetica. Ross it out of town this week - so I think a lot of knitting and "murder, she wrote" is in my future. Whoa - all the sudden this blog is going downhill. I'll try and live a more exciting life - if only for the blog's sake.
14 comments:
I'm so glad that someone is finally speaking out about Helvetica. I'm actually pretty surprised it hasn't come up in the political hotbead that is this election year. We have a civic duty to know each elected official's stance on the use of this font, and I hope that we can all take that very seriously. Especially Toddcat. He's so the type to just vote on the issues. Let's vote on the font, people.
You make a really really good point. I mean if we can't all agree on a font then how on earth are we going to agree on the fiscal budget? Also American Airlines' logo is in "Helvetica" and according to one man, "this logo is the most perfect logo in the history of the universe."
I'm only going to fly American from now on.
Even though they canceled trillions of flights over the past two weeks, it's very important that we send a clear message to the airline industry: where Helvetica goes, we follow.
I hate that I have to be the voice of reason here, but making a documentary on a typeset has got to be the lamest thing I have ever heard. Oh no, wait. I take that back. I can think of something lamer and that is actually choosing to watch said documentary. Seriously, what were you thinking when you put that on your net flix list? Do you have some horrid drug problem we know nothing about because being high on crack is the only reason for insane acts such as marrying Bobby Brown or watching this movie. And don't even try to tell me you thought it was good because you've already admitted to repeatedly falling asleep. I can't wait to read one of Ross' movie reviews on this one.
Furthermore, I really don't know how you have the time for movies or laundry when you have an awesome book club selection to read that I suspect you haven't even started.
I would take Todd's taste in entertainment more seriously if he hadn't taken us to see that in-drag "9-5" play.
Helvetica really was a cool documentary. I have been looking at all the typefaces around me today. It was interesting to see how much background there is for something most of us really don't think about - and really take for granted.
Oh, Ross, you are so ridiculous. You loved that "9 to 5" play and giggled like a 9-year-old girl the whole time we were there. Just admit it.
Well we did leave 9-5 early - not because it was in poor taste but because it really wasn't funny at all. So I'm afraid that Ross wins on this one.
I am the ultimate referee and always fair.
Kitty, you are the ultimate something....I'm not sure fair is the word I'm thinking of though.
Speaking of sucking the life out of design, can I just say that I think the Papyrus font is way overused and no longer classy? I mean, just look at Jan's candle company. Enough with the Papyrus! Fonts are powerful...and totally documentary-worthy.
Oh that is hilarious that you just said that because yesterday, one of my friends said the exact same thing. But admit it - if instead of saying "Scents by Jan" it was "Kandles by Kitty" (that's right Kandles with a K) it would probably look a lot more classy.
I think Papyrus is the poor man's fake calligraphy.
Obviously I have been living in the dark ages with my parents (and Toddcat's) totally oblivious to the fonts around me. Thanks for giving us all the update- now I won't have to sleep through this documentary for myself. Thank goodness.
Oh if only I knew what y'all were talking about! But, alas, I'm shackled to the medieval fonts of WordPerfect. No Papyrus in sight. Thankfully, though, WordPerfect does have "comic sans." I love that font -- you can almost hear the laughter in every keystroke.
OK now I'm cursed. Willy Wonka came on TV this afternoon and I said to Ryan, "I've never seen the new one." He said, "Maybe this is it (it was during the opening credits." And then we both were like, "No, it's not." I don't know what tipped him off, but for me it was the Helvetica font. It really did look outdated.
Helvetica (at least according to the documentary) really does change the way you look at the world - and Willy Wonka.
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