Helvetica

I love typefaces. Since my dad is an editor at the Boston Globe, we sometimes get into discussions about type faces. I love the idea that the way a word looks can determine the way a reader feels about it. I'm not into graphic design, but type face is fascinating. The image above is a comparison of two very similar typefaces, Arial and Helvetica. You've seen them both a hundred times. Helvetica makes up the CVS logo, the Target logo, the Staples logo, American Apparel, Crate and Barrel (except for the capitol C), American Airlines, the New York City subway system and more. Helvetica was developed in 1957 as a way for businesses to say "Don't worry, everything is okay." It's anonymous, it's unobtrusive, and it gets the message across quickly. It's a beautiful type face that many designers regard as one of the best ever made. There has even been a documentary made about this typeface, which I have seen, and loved thank you very much. In school I am writing a 6 page research paper about the change brought to the advertising world by this modern sans-serif font. 

But Arial and Helvetica look so much alike! How can I tell them apart? That's easy! Look at the capitol 'G' in Helvetica and compare it to the same letter in Arial. Helvetica's 'G' has a tail. Also, look at the ends of the 'C' in either capitol and lower case or the top of the lower case 't' in both fonts. In Arial, these spots are slanted instead of straight. Many letters in Arial end in a slant, whereas in Helvetica they are blunt. Also, the capitol 'A' is wider in Arial than in Helvetica.

Think you have the differences down? Take this quiz and let me know your results!

For more type-face-y fun, look on YouTube for Font Conference by College Humor, one of my all time favorite videos. Wanna talk fonts and type faces with me? I love having these weird, nerdy discussions.