Helvetica is everywhere and with good reason.

A key for creating contemporary or minimalistic design can rely on the use of the right typeface. Most importantly is the right/strong concept of course. But in terms of font use, it must be bold, have neutral lines and have the versatility to be featured or sit in the background. Despite the controversy, and as much as it does get, the font of choice for many professional designers is Helvetica. Early on I very much disliked Helvetica, I was taught to by professors to do so, but I have come around. It’s a great typeface and has been featured in many posters and logo designs upon it’s creation in 1957 by Max Miedinger and Eduard Hoffman. Both set out to create a font to compete in the Swiss style of design market and what they designed turned out to be one of the most successful typefaces of all time. View some good examples of Helvetica in use below.

Chicago Transit Authority

Helvetica in Chicago's CTA identity design system

Excellent logo and poster designs utilizing Helvetica

Husqvarna logo

3M logo design

Tupperware logo design

Helvetica the film poster

Pan Am Posters

Vintage Pan Am posters by Chermayeff & Geismer 1971

Helvetica has it’s own movie, countless poster designs, advertisements, logos and identity designs. Helvetica is clean and if used right, upscale and sophisticated. It makes for good design. The best you can do is give it a chance, without being clouded by everyone’s opinion.