Because what is the message of Helvetica? Helvetica says: don't panic. You'll arrive at your destination on time. Your plane will not crash. Your money is safe in our deposit. The papers are properly completed. Don't worry, everything will be fine. Whatever you wish to undertake, Helvetica leaves your company in safe hands.
No wonder the font comes from Switzerland. Of course, the name gives it away - 'Helvetica' is Latin for 'Swiss'. Initially, the font was called 'Neue Haas Grotesk', which has a slightly unpleasant sound ... you will not easily use a letter called Grotesk, in any country. But besides the name, the origin of the font can also be explained on basis of the zeitgeist: Helvetica is a typeface that has been specifically designed to be perceived as neutral as possible - and it was developed in 1957, a time when the post-war world put her first cautious steps on the path of globalization. Companies needed international recognition and communication solutions that transcended cultures. And in those times, where could you find that better than in a neutral typeface from a neutral country?
The design of Helvetica is ranged among the predominantly Swiss-driven International Typographic Style: developed in the '50s, hip in the '60s, predominant in the '70s, past its prime in the '80s and '90s, and since then it's steadily risen back to the top. The style is characterized by mathematical structures, use of sans-serif letters like Helvetica, and photography instead of illustrations.
The dip in popularity in the decade that fashion forgot is well explained. The style, and thus the font, was designed to seamlessly connect to the currently existing typesetting and printing techniques, and to fashion. But techniques developed further; fashion changed. And once desktop publishing came along, things really got out of hand. A proliferation of styles meant that each target group had its own individual design bodice. In the nineties, it was impossible to communicate a house party without silver and black, or heavily stylized lettering, and the International Typographic Style was reserved for fans of britpop music and design magazines.
But that proliferation also leads to a desire for order, peace and trust. Herein lies the explanation for the resurgence of Helvetica: this year voted number one best font in the world.
Fun facts
* Helvetica was based on Akzidenz Grotesk from Munich - designed in 1896.
* The Microsoft logo is written in Helvetica, but because Microsoft found the font too expensive for the standard Windows font set, the company developed its own variant: Arial.
* Apple has purchased a license, and its OS has already long been designed with Helvetica.
* The American director Gary Hustwitt has made a movie about Helvetica, that examines the psychology behind the widespread use of a font.
* The movie includes an interview with leading Dutch designer Wim Crouwel.
