![helvetica vs helvetica neue helvetica vs helvetica neue](https://pimpmytype.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/aria-vs-helvetica.png)
The negative spaces (the space that exists outside of the letter forms) are strategically placed to have just as much balance as the actual letters. The stroke weights are fairly even, giving it its balance. Max Miedinger wanted every letter to look the same, drawn from the same hand you can argue that based on personal preferences that it is ugly, but looking at it from a designer's point of view it is a perfectly balanced and unified typeface.
![helvetica vs helvetica neue helvetica vs helvetica neue](https://i.imgur.com/aPh2dEs.png)
The reason why Helvetica is so visually well-structed is because it was designed that way. Arial was designed by the people at Microsoft because they were too cheap to buy the rights to use Helvetica on their operating systems (cheap bastards). I also happen to think because it is used everywhere it makes it a less appealing font however that said it is still better than Arial. You're right, Helvetica is a great design, and you're right it is very widely used. I would perhaps argue that there are more than a dozen great designs! What an age we live in where such talent can be spread so easily with the internet we are living int he golden age of type design. A typeface needs to be chosen based on the project and not simply because you like it.Īpology for the long text but I thought I would give you some perspective on Helvetica.
![helvetica vs helvetica neue helvetica vs helvetica neue](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/28/HelveticaSpecimenCH.svg/1200px-HelveticaSpecimenCH.svg.png)
Imagine painting your whole life blue just because it's your favorite color. Helvetica is NOT neutral and has become an absolutely boring choice because it's over-used.
Helvetica vs helvetica neue professional#
Watch this video if you want to hear a professional type designer's opinion: ĭon't ever design by the phrase "when in doubt, use Helvetica". In fact, I know Helvetica is popular but it isn't even a great typeface (which is not a surprise because Helvetica was not designed by a type designer). It's a similar style, yet Univers is so much better. If you want a better alternative to Helvetica, go for Univers. It looks warmer with a subtle quirk to it. I actually prefer Akzidenz Grotesk myself. You should make an image like this comparing Akzidenz Grotesk and Helvetica and see how much they look alike. If you insist that Arial is a clone of Helvetica then you must also consider Helvetica a clone of Akzidenz Grotesk. In fact, the letter 'a' for example is stronger in Arial than in Helvetica. Nice image, however I object to the principle.Īrial is not the bad one.