What does Helvetica, the typeface and font, have to do with communication? Well, Helvetica is everywhere. Billboards, logos, print ads and the internet are awash in Helvetica. When the Hass Type Foundry in Switzerland gave us Helvetica in 1957, they had no idea that advertising and personal computing would make it ubiquitous in advertising and design.

Helvetica, a documentary film by Gary Hustwit, brings together typographers and graphic designers from around the world in a discussion about Helvetica’s influence on how we communicate. Helvetica is the preferred typeface for governments and corporations. It communicates a clean, friendly authority. Helvetica is the typeface of gentle command and firm request. Most designers respect its perfection and balance, but some see it as the design world’s fast food.

Hustwit’s film wonderfully introduces the power of type. Hustwit manages to bring together three dramatically different designers in the same film: Erik Spiekermann, the designer of the Meta typeface; David Carson, who gave Ray Gun Magazine the signature style adopted by the grunge design movement; and Massimo Vignelli, a rather minimalist Italian designer who gave American Airlines its timeless logo.

Hustwit’s Helvetica shows designers talking about how type affects meaning. Helvetica offers an enjoyable way to learn about how type choices can strengthen or weaken your communications.