Helvetica Documentary Film Giveaway

Everybody knows and use or have used Helvetica, it's one of the most famous and used typeface in the world. It's so famous that there is a movie about it. Produced and directed by Gary Hustwit, Helvetica shows us the proliferation and how we are always surrounded by this great font created by Max Miedinger with Edüard Hoffmann in 1957 for the Haas Type Foundry in Münchenstein, Switzerland. Also we have one copy of the film to give away.

Helvetica is a feature-length independent film about typography, graphic design and global visual culture. It looks at the proliferation of one typeface (which will celebrate its 50th birthday in 2007) as part of a larger conversation about the way type affects our lives. The film is an exploration of urban spaces in major cities and the type that inhabits them, and a fluid discussion with renowned designers about their work, the creative process, and the choices and aesthetics behind their use of type.

Helvetica encompasses the worlds of design, advertising, psychology, and communication, and invites us to take a second look at the thousands of words we see every day.

Interviewees in Helvetica include some of the most illustrious and innovative names in the design world, including Erik Spiekermann, Matthew Carter, Massimo Vignelli, Wim Crouwel, Hermann Zapf, Neville Brody, Stefan Sagmeister, Michael Bierut, David Carson, Paula Scher, Jonathan Hoefler, Tobias Frere-Jones, Experimental Jetset, Michael C. Place, Norm, Alfred Hoffmann, Mike Parker, Bruno Steinert, Otmar Hoefer, Leslie Savan, Rick Poynor, Lars Muller, and many more.

Trailer:



Helvetica Trailer from New Video Digital on Vimeo.

Poster

Helvetica Poster
Helveticais now available as a digital download for USA iTunes users.

Giveaway

To win a copy of the Helvetica Film just leave a comment with your email. The winner will be announced next week.

For more information about the movie, visit http://www.helveticafilm.com/

About author

User picture

My name is Fabio Sasso, I'm a graphic/web designer from Porto Alegre, Brazil and I'm the founder of Abduzeedo. I hope we can share lots of information, tips, and ideas through abduzeedo.

Sponsored Links:

I would love a copy of this film

Pushkar's picture
Pushkar (not verified) 08/27/2008

geez, i forgot to leave my email :D

sakarija.mazaoui@gmail.com

plastic_stress 08/27/2008

A typeface that is almost as old as me! An inspiration to me for over 30 years as a designer and I like the fact that the inside of the lower case 'a' character forms a teardrop shape.

Peter Gill's picture
Peter Gill (not verified) 08/26/2008

Hey! Nice giveaway! I'd L O V E to have a copy of this terrific movie!
Greets,
;)

German's picture
German (not verified) 08/25/2008

Hey! Nice giveaway! I'd L O V E to have a copy of this terrific movie!
Greets,
;)

German's picture
German (not verified) 08/25/2008

do want

anima's picture
anima (not verified) 08/25/2008

yeah, the trailer makes me want to see more !
my email : krash{dot}dtf{arobas}free{dot}fr

Wobine's picture
Wobine (not verified) 08/24/2008

I have not heard about it. The idea of the movie is interesting.

alkyoot's picture
alkyoot (not verified) 08/24/2008

"In Italy for thirty years under the Borgias they had warfare, terror, murder, bloodshed—but they produced Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and the Renaissance. In Switzerland they had brotherly love, 500 years of democracy and peace, and what did that produce? The cuckoo clock...[and Helvetica! :) ]" (Orson Wells as Harry Lime in The Third Man")

NaOH's picture
NaOH (not verified) 08/22/2008

Helvetica ... the ultimate typeface since 50 years !! I just love this typeface its always fresh.

Simon's picture
Simon (not verified) 08/22/2008

Longtime lurker and reader. Thought I'd try and win the movie. Good luck everyone else!

Paul Johns's picture
Paul Johns (not verified) 08/22/2008

I loved this movie.

Elizabeth's picture
Elizabeth (not verified) 08/22/2008

I want one! Respect Helvetica!

jayhan's picture
jayhan (not verified) 08/22/2008

Great contest!

btmui@hotmail.com

Veronica's picture
Veronica (not verified) 08/21/2008

Huh, a documentation ’bout Hel(l)vetica, amazing! Just watched the trailer and it’s seems to be interesting. So, let’s take part on this giveaway … ;)

datenkind's picture
datenkind (not verified) 08/21/2008

I saw this film at SXSW a few years ago. I would love to own a copy.

Jsteelio's picture
Jsteelio (not verified) 08/21/2008

Let's hope.

Axel Valdez's picture
Axel Valdez (not verified) 08/21/2008

I'd love to see it :)

Fredrik's picture
Fredrik (not verified) 08/21/2008

This film is fantastic. I was skeptical at first, but changed my mind very quickly.

Teague's picture
Teague (not verified) 08/21/2008

Here's your winner!

Thomas Eilander's picture
Thomas Eilander (not verified) 08/21/2008

make it easy and just pick me! ;-)

Bob's picture
Bob (not verified) 08/21/2008

oh oh oh oh, PICK me! ;)

Cheers!

Rob's picture
Rob (not verified) 08/21/2008

v. interesting...hope i get it!
:)

Paula Porras's picture
Paula Porras (not verified) 08/21/2008

Pretty interesting movie!

K4k4du's picture
K4k4du 08/20/2008

It would be great to have this documentary. By the way, love your work!

Rand's picture
Rand (not verified) 08/20/2008

Would love this. It would help me so much with my studies at the moment!

TJ's picture
TJ (not verified) 08/20/2008

I would love this!

frozencanvas's picture
frozencanvas (not verified) 08/20/2008

This documentary is amazing! I would love to own it.

Sean Farrell's picture
Sean Farrell (not verified) 08/20/2008

Do Want.

It's not being screened over here until Mid November. I don't think I can wait that long!

David Leggett's picture
David Leggett (not verified) 08/20/2008

Im feelin lucky!

Tom Sinclair's picture
Tom Sinclair (not verified) 08/20/2008
Victor Melo's picture
Victor Melo (not verified) 08/20/2008

Oh how I LOVE Helvetica!

Spike Martinez's picture
Spike Martinez (not verified) 08/20/2008

Rock and Roll!

Timmy's picture
Timmy (not verified) 08/20/2008

Awesome! I love this movie! Blockbuster hit of the year!

Andrew Taylor's picture
Andrew Taylor (not verified) 08/20/2008

count me in =]

cs's picture
cs (not verified) 08/20/2008

i wannaaaaaaa

eu queroooooo!

migueL's picture
migueL (not verified) 08/20/2008

Would love a copy of this movie! I've been waiting to see it for a while now!

Dan Raftis's picture
Dan Raftis (not verified) 08/20/2008

love this movie. definitely count me in.

Bob Marchman's picture
Bob Marchman (not verified) 08/20/2008

cool giveaway - Helvetica is one of those fonts you just find yourself using. Even when you're not aware of it.

samuraiwood's picture
samuraiwood (not verified) 08/20/2008

I want it.

=]

Rodolfo Garcia's picture
Rodolfo Garcia (not verified) 08/20/2008


lastsunsetboulevard@gmail.com

João Guerreiro's picture
João Guerreiro (not verified) 08/20/2008

Me first me first!

[ full frontal freelance, a tumblelog for freelancers. ]

aja 08/20/2008

wow i never realised they used it on car logos
Flickr Photostream

BogDinamita's picture
BogDinamita 08/20/2008

now _this_ is a giveaway that should really interest (almost) all graphic designers

hugogalvao@msn.com

hugo's picture
hugo (not verified) 08/20/2008

I suggest you a funny video about fonts:

http://it.youtube.com/watch?v=i3k5oY9AHHM

Enrica's picture
Enrica (not verified) 08/20/2008

Heya, I'd love to have this movie. :-)

Fingers crossed!

JWB's picture
JWB (not verified) 08/20/2008

Wow ... sooo many Comments!

But ... ok ... free stuff works always well. :)

Greez Jens

Jens Hoffmann's picture
Jens Hoffmann (not verified) 08/20/2008

Definitely up for this.

njmartella@gmail.com

Wik.

Nathan's picture
Nathan (not verified) 08/20/2008

Saw this document about 4 months ago. Amazing. You'll never know where's beauty lies, until you see it. Even in border on black and white spaces.

svrt's picture
svrt (not verified) 08/20/2008

this is waaaaaay coooool!
honestly, i prefer helvetica than arial when it comes to simplicity. . .
:D

lordCovenant 08/20/2008

What a coincidense I was thinking about buying this thing yesterday (I seriously kid you not)cause I saw the trailer a while ago nd it kept on haunting me in the back of my mind.

And now one of my fav sites is giving it away...

Joris's picture
Joris (not verified) 08/20/2008

pretty nice ;-)

Freakodin's picture
Freakodin (not verified) 08/20/2008

boy, that trailer makes me wanna see more!

unfortunately i'm not living in the usa, so: no download -,-

i need your copy!

plastic_stress 08/20/2008

I love this documentary! I've been looking to buy it for ages, but I can't find it in any shops over here!

Best quote: "Some people get kicks out of girls bottoms, but I get kicks out of type"

xD

Laura's picture
Laura (not verified) 08/20/2008

that is hot stuff!i want one..

starlight2605(at)gmail.com

putera_aladin 08/20/2008
Tiimo's picture
Tiimo (not verified) 08/20/2008

Wow! History of Helvetica. I would love to see the film even if I don't win the copy!

bluebomberc's picture
bluebomberc 08/20/2008

I managed to see a few minutes of this at college one day, and have been wanting to watch the rest of it ever since. The portion I did see, managed to give me an entirely new outlook on typography and I feel I am a better designer because of it.

oddethegreat[@]hotmail.com

Reece's picture
Reece (not verified) 08/20/2008

lol i am addicted with helvetica... probably the best font in the world

Olariu Alex 08/20/2008

i also love this type... one of the most popular yet remains one of the most effective type...

i hope ill have a copy of this documentary... :D

sportmusic's picture
sportmusic (not verified) 08/20/2008

Meu comentário sobre o documentário.
http://imagem-papel-e-furia.blogspot.com/2008/02/helvetica.html

Quero uma cópia!!

Tarcízio Silva's picture
Tarcízio Silva (not verified) 08/20/2008

Oooooh! Count me in! :D

Chi 's picture
Chi (not verified) 08/20/2008
Bruno L.'s picture
Bruno L. (not verified) 08/20/2008

Had to sign up for this one lol

email: raymand *at* tpg *dot* com *dot* au

darkodin 08/20/2008

already watch the movie. its amazing really for so many years none can top helvetica dominance....dont know why, the font seems to feel..... "right"... anyhow, I would love to get a copy :). cheers

Michael Waterkamp's picture
Michael Waterkamp (not verified) 08/20/2008

i'm a helvetiva lover too.

Edu's picture
Edu (not verified) 08/20/2008

If Helvetica was a girl, I'd marry her.

Leandro Corrêa's picture
Leandro Corrêa (not verified) 08/20/2008

It's The Real Thing. Period. Coke. Period. Any Questions? Of Course Not.

email :: lisa.berry@mac.com

Lisa Berry's picture
Lisa Berry (not verified) 08/20/2008

Helvetica is one of that fonts that you love & hate... at the same time... it's just awesome...

Juan Manuel's picture
Juan Manuel (not verified) 08/20/2008

This looks so great.

This font is a revolution in industrial tipography and deserves one special documentary!

my mail: desamarrado *at* gmail *dot* com

Marcell Marra's picture
Marcell Marra (not verified) 08/20/2008
giackop's picture
giackop 08/20/2008

Helvetica has been present in so many good and bad moments. It feels like an old friend you can count on!

Andre's picture
Andre (not verified) 08/20/2008

i would LOVE a copy of this movie!
:)

rubenito's picture
rubenito (not verified) 08/20/2008

Of course I want it, it would be so nice!
Thanks for sharing. :)

Joffrey,
pickupjojo ///at/// gmail ///dot/// com

pickupjojo's picture
pickupjojo (not verified) 08/20/2008

Oops forgot my email
ronerazo@gmail.com

Rokurosv's picture
Rokurosv (not verified) 08/20/2008

I'm reading a book about type right now and i never knew that type was so interesting, watching the trailer i can see that this is a good film.

Rokurosv's picture
Rokurosv (not verified) 08/20/2008

Aaahhhhhh rapá!!!

será que ainda dá tempo?

feerhoof[at]gmail[dot]com

Feerhoof's picture
Feerhoof (not verified) 08/20/2008

WOW! i'd love to have this one! :D

brainflea@gmail.com

brainflea 08/20/2008

Whether you're pro or con Helvetica, it's great to see a film that makes design, typography available to the masses in a way that is humorous and informative. I would love to add this to my collection.

Donna Vitan's picture
Donna Vitan (not verified) 08/20/2008

I'd love to watch this documentary!

Diana's picture
Diana (not verified) 08/20/2008

Love this film. Would love it even more for free!

Kyle Steed's picture
Kyle Steed (not verified) 08/20/2008

seems pretty interesting.. lways toutgh that my typo teacher never put enough energy on historical font such as helvetica witch in my opinion is one of the nicest al around font!!

anyway would like to own the movie!!

michel greco's picture
michel greco (not verified) 08/20/2008

Brilliant, me want =)

hamochi's picture
hamochi (not verified) 08/19/2008
Anonymous's picture
Anonymous (not verified) 08/19/2008
Anonymous's picture
Anonymous (not verified) 08/19/2008

Such a great movie. Finally, people are making typography known and appreciated.
Thanks.

Tash Reed's picture
Tash Reed (not verified) 08/19/2008

borist3hblade[at!~]gmail.com

JaredSka's picture
JaredSka (not verified) 08/19/2008

Love it!

logan[at]lapedesigns[dott]com

Logan's picture
Logan (not verified) 08/19/2008

Valeu Fábio!

Lailson Bandeira's picture
Lailson Bandeira (not verified) 08/19/2008

Mmmmm!

Brig's picture
Brig (not verified) 08/19/2008

henriquepersechini[arroba]gmail[ponto]com

persechini's picture
persechini (not verified) 08/19/2008
Thiago la Torre's picture
Thiago la Torre (not verified) 08/19/2008

I would like own a copy of this film :)

Here is my mail : panda.master[atttt]gmail.com

Shaoren's picture
Shaoren (not verified) 08/19/2008
goodfella's picture
goodfella (not verified) 08/19/2008

Man i need it, its the best!! good luck!!

Mariela Rojas's picture
Mariela Rojas (not verified) 08/19/2008

I've seen this documentary a few days ago with our tutor for typography and I have to say this documentary is well worth seeing for every designer!

Locke2604's picture
Locke2604 (not verified) 08/19/2008

Love the poster

Fernando Mafra's picture
Fernando Mafra (not verified) 08/19/2008
Kevin Lucius's picture
Kevin Lucius (not verified) 08/19/2008

I´ve heard about but never seen it. Can I have my copy please?

Armando's picture
Armando (not verified) 08/19/2008

Eu quero!

fmayers@yahoo.com

Valeu!

Fernando's picture
Fernando (not verified) 08/19/2008

akoimeexx/@/gmail/./com

Johnathan McKnight's picture
Johnathan McKnight (not verified) 08/19/2008

Oh, and my email is mknepprath@gmail.com

Michael Knepprath's picture
Michael Knepprath 08/19/2008

Me Too!!!
leoteixeiraemail(at)gmail(dot)com

I've seen this film posted on you tube some months ago. But now, It´s not available any more.

Léo's picture
Léo (not verified) 08/19/2008

Looks sweet!

Michael Knepprath's picture
Michael Knepprath 08/19/2008

I love this movie

guerella@gmail.com

guerella's picture
guerella 08/19/2008

martin.siles(a)gmail.com
I NEED THIISSS

portfolio
http://snackt.deviantart.com/gallery

AfroGato 08/19/2008

Man, i need to watch this movie as soon as possible!
marcello.friko@gmail.com

Friko's picture
Friko (not verified) 08/19/2008

groovyssc[at]netscape[dot]net

sarah's picture
sarah (not verified) 08/19/2008

Sounds like a helvetica of a documentary. oh man, that was really bad.

css[dot]mike[at]gmail[dot]com

Mike Metcalf's picture
Mike Metcalf (not verified) 08/19/2008

love you long time!

andrewhayter at--- gmail.com

Andrew Hayter's picture
Andrew Hayter (not verified) 08/19/2008

I have seen this documentary before, but it's definitely worth watching again. jonl521@yahoo.com.

JonL's picture
JonL (not verified) 08/19/2008

i need it!!!

Anonymous's picture
Anonymous (not verified) 08/19/2008

muzikaddict91(at)hotmail.com

Muzikaddict's picture
Muzikaddict 08/19/2008

done

felipe tofani's picture
felipe tofani (not verified) 08/19/2008

Stefan Sagmeister is the legend...Helvetica rulz! I would like to see it again definitely!

Peace!

Lovro's picture
Lovro (not verified) 08/19/2008

This was an enjoyable documentary.
allaina.dayley@gmail.com

d0ll0p 08/19/2008

Using the Helvetica every day at work while producing all sorts of cereal packages, I would love to win a copy of the film!

Carola83's picture
Carola83 (not verified) 08/19/2008

Loved this documentary and would love even more to have it in my collection! More typefaces should get documentaries!

Jenny's picture
Jenny (not verified) 08/19/2008

it looks so awesome! I love these types of documentaries....hint, hint lol.

Mushroom's picture
Mushroom (not verified) 08/19/2008

Funny film

Scott 08/19/2008

Love it! Do want.
trendbreaker a gmail.com

trendbreakr 08/19/2008

Please count me in!!!! I would love to win!!!!

Barbara Baker's picture
Barbara Baker (not verified) 08/19/2008

awesome blog, awesome font, awesome documentary! I heard that the extras are awesome too! :D geez the internets make me talk like a freaking teenager --

marioandrei [-at-] gmail [-dot-] com

Mario Pantoja's picture
Mario Pantoja (not verified) 08/19/2008

I'm a big fan of the Helvetica typeface, I'd love to own the movie.
andrew [at] projectnemeth [dot] com

Andrew's picture
Andrew (not verified) 08/19/2008

wow!! quite a bit of interest here huh. There is nothing like something for nothing i guess.

nnowinowski@hotmail.com

nate717's picture
nate717 (not verified) 08/19/2008

I have heard a lot about this documentary from my friends, would love to have a copy.

phracturedheart [at] gmail [ dot] com

phractured 08/19/2008

great prize, I must say... frickinmuck at gmail

frickinmuck's picture
frickinmuck (not verified) 08/19/2008

This is a timely post, since I just started an intro to typography class yesterday, and our first assignment is on Helvetica.

Sarah's picture
Sarah (not verified) 08/19/2008

I've been trying to see the full documentary, but every time the opportunity comes up, I only catch small parts. But it looks interesting, and until hearing about the documentary, I hadn't realized how much helvetica is present.

Thanks for the blog, btw!

Chris's picture
Chris (not verified) 08/19/2008

would love to have it!
saludos from arg!

Martin H's picture
Martin H (not verified) 08/19/2008

I almost bought a $180 T-Shirt because it was printed in Helvetica. I didn't even know what the writing on the shirt was all about. It was something about Swiss skiing?

Anyway, I realized immediately that I'm a broke-ass artist, and I have no business buying $180 T-Shirts.

Sigh. C'est la vie.

Brandon P. Turner's picture
Brandon P. Turner (not verified) 08/19/2008

Ah I was going to pirate this movie but now that your giving it away :)

director05 at gmail.com

Josh Epp's picture
Josh Epp (not verified) 08/19/2008

That was a very good film. Although after watching it, I'm very sick of seeing Helvetica everywhere I look.

Kyle's picture
Kyle (not verified) 08/19/2008

That would be great to have one of those,

range's picture
range (not verified) 08/19/2008

very interesting documentary

rendan [at] gmail [dot] com

grant's picture
grant (not verified) 08/19/2008
te-c's picture
te-c (not verified) 08/19/2008

This seems like a very interesting film. I wonder what the sequel will be like?

The Wallbanger's picture
The Wallbanger (not verified) 08/19/2008

I saw a little bit of this movie but never got to finish it. I planned on buying it to finish it and add to my growing collection of movies but I just never got around to it. I hope I win.

Chris Mejia's picture
Chris Mejia (not verified) 08/19/2008

It would be great to have my personal part of type-history.

hope to get one...

te-c's picture
te-c (not verified) 08/19/2008

My favourite font.

munchester2cool[at]hotmail[dot]com

(Replace [at] with @ and [dot] with a dot)

Starchild's picture
Starchild 08/19/2008

nice documentary for THE sans-serif typeface

my email is: endofu@gmail.com

endofu's picture
endofu (not verified) 08/19/2008

Yo quiero una copia! I just realized Abduzeedo's founder is brazilian. Greetings from Uruguay

dario's picture
dario (not verified) 08/19/2008

Please pick me :)
Email: stacye[@]gmail[.]com

Stacy's picture
Stacy (not verified) 08/19/2008

I'm a huge fan of Helvetica, and this documentary certainly looks awesome!

Kenneth Ballenegger's picture
Kenneth Ballenegger (not verified) 08/19/2008

Hey I want one!!! cataua[at]gmail[dot]com

ROgerio Caetano's picture
ROgerio Caetano (not verified) 08/19/2008

I have only seen half of this movie.
AND I'M DYING TO SEE THE SECOND!
So i really hope to win a copy!
Love those tutorials!

Falk Photo Design's picture
Falk Photo Design (not verified) 08/19/2008

Awesome! I read about the movie and it seems like a great documentary!
Good luck guys! :)

K3v's picture
K3v 08/19/2008

Awesome - gianni[at]runlevel6[dot]org

Gianni Chiappetta's picture
Gianni Chiappetta (not verified) 08/19/2008

mike at not2us dot net

Mike Goodwin's picture
Mike Goodwin (not verified) 08/19/2008

I watched a portion of this while it was briefly available on youtube and I've wanted to finish it ever since.

Nice site, by the way. I especially enjoy the Photoshop tutorials.

Mike's picture
Mike (not verified) 08/19/2008

I really have been wanting to see this, hopefully now I will be able to.

Jason Lombard's picture
Jason Lombard (not verified) 08/19/2008

oh helvetica, you've been there for me from the start.

Danny Batista's picture
Danny Batista (not verified) 08/19/2008

I never win...

Vin Thomas's picture
Vin Thomas (not verified) 08/19/2008

I would be very interested to see this movie...I always love a good stories about fonts

Eric Hilse's picture
Eric Hilse (not verified) 08/19/2008

A lovely film.

email: zack.lovatt@gmail.com

Zack's picture
Zack (not verified) 08/19/2008

It seem it's a good documentary :D

cerium50[a_t]hotmail[d_o_t]fr

cerium's picture
cerium 08/19/2008

my e-mail - makhsut@gmail.com

Barsuk's picture
Barsuk (not verified) 08/19/2008

This film is a well balanced take on the typeface that has helped to shape the face of contemporary design. Love or hate the typeface, you'll appreciate this film.

Button Monkey's picture
Button Monkey (not verified) 08/19/2008

Must see for all "typophile", indeed!
e-mail: zoo_lez@yahoo.com

zooley's picture
zooley (not verified) 08/19/2008

would certainly feel lucky if i get a copy of Helvetica Documentary.

email: vibs.sh@gmail.com

Leo's picture
Leo (not verified) 08/19/2008

I just seen it this week..
Luvdit!

Must-seen for the typo lovers out here ;)

dng_spot@hotmail.com

(finally.. my 1st post :p)

DNG.'s picture
DNG. 08/19/2008

my e-mail: ikben(at the rate of)gewoongideon.nl

Gideon van Dijk

gideon's picture
gideon 08/19/2008

Great film! Would love to own a copy!
Not sure why I am recommending this but if you love Helvetica check out what the guys from Neubau Berlin are doing. They base a lot of their design on Swiss school typography. Especially the work of Stefan Gandl is simply amazing.

See what you think:
http://www.neubauberlin.com/

Gideon van Dijk

gideon's picture
gideon 08/19/2008

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