Type Categories, part 08: Sans Serif
Type Categories, part 08
Sans Serif, circa 1900
As their name implies, these typefaces eliminated serifs altogether. Although the form was first introduced in 1816, their used did not become widespread until the beginning of the twentieth century. Examples shown: Gill Sans, Futura, Helvetica, Trade Gothic and Univers
Information cited from: A Type Primer by John Kane and The Elements of Typographic Style by Robert Bringhurst
You can say, “I love you,” in Helvetica. And you can say it with Helvetica Extra Light if you want to be really fancy. Or you can say it with the Extra Bold if it’s really intensive and passionate, you know, and it might work.
-Massimo Vignelli
Today we’re talking Sans Serifs. And for those of you (possibly only type geeks) who’ve seen the type documentary Helvetica, this post may just make your day.
Sans Serifs arrived and gained popularity around 1900. As their name implies, these typefaces eliminated serifs altogether. Although the form was first introduced in 1816, their used did not become widespread until the beginning of the twentieth century.
Examples shown above are: Gill Sans, Futura, Helvetica, Trade Gothic and Univers.
A little more about Helvetica… It was developed by Max Miedinger with Edüard Hoffmann in 1957 for the Haas Type Foundry in, Switzerland. Initially it was called Neue Haas Grotesk, but its name was later changed to Helvetica, derived from Helvetia, the Latin name for Switzerland in 1961 when the typeface was marketed for use internationally.
Introduced amidst a wave of popularity of Swiss design, and fueled by advertising agencies selling this new design style to their clients, Helvetica quickly appeared in corporate logos, signage for transportation systems, fine art prints, and myriad other uses worldwide. Inclusion of the font in home computer systems such as the Apple Macintosh in 1984 only further cemented its universality.
Here are a sampling of logos that use Helvetica, or some modified form of it. Enjoy.
Information cited from: A Type Primer by John Kane, The Elements of Typographic Style by Robert Bringhurst, and Helvetica the movie website.
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I had John Kane as my type professor in college @ Northeastern University- LOVE HIM. smart man.
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