Only ever as a backup to another san-serif. It's actually far from ubiquitous. Learn more Operating Systems if you think that's the case. I would never put in as a font-family purely on its own.
I think that no matter how superior one typography can be, this superiority blends with too often use. I like Helvetica, but I don't use it very often.
Martin - 14 years ago
I enjoy the fine-tuning in Helvetica's design. It's ubiquitous, and requires care to make it not feel "default"-ish. Intentionally not using it, I think is a bit lazy and shallow, though.
I have liked Helvetica for years - long before it got to be so popular. I've found myself using it less and less in logos and identity work due to it getting so common, but I still fall back on it regularly when I'm doing copy mockups and general PS layouts. It just doesn't wind up in my finished pieces as often as it used to, which is a pity.
It's similar enough to Arial (or the other way around, rather), that I can use it as copy (simply because I like it) and still have a very good idea of how the content will flow, however for the end result I'll most likely wind up using another typeface.
...and if my CSS font stack calls for Arial, I nearly always specify Helvetica first, just because it looks nicer. ;)
Helvetica, i see it everywhere...is pretty much the 'default' font when you don't want to think too hard.
I use it sometimes but i try to find something else that makes sense most of the time.
Only ever as a backup to another san-serif. It's actually far from ubiquitous. Learn more Operating Systems if you think that's the case. I would never put in as a font-family purely on its own.
Like others have mentioned, I use it when it makes sense. It's just that it makes sense so damn often...
I think that no matter how superior one typography can be, this superiority blends with too often use. I like Helvetica, but I don't use it very often.
I enjoy the fine-tuning in Helvetica's design. It's ubiquitous, and requires care to make it not feel "default"-ish. Intentionally not using it, I think is a bit lazy and shallow, though.
I have liked Helvetica for years - long before it got to be so popular. I've found myself using it less and less in logos and identity work due to it getting so common, but I still fall back on it regularly when I'm doing copy mockups and general PS layouts. It just doesn't wind up in my finished pieces as often as it used to, which is a pity.
It's similar enough to Arial (or the other way around, rather), that I can use it as copy (simply because I like it) and still have a very good idea of how the content will flow, however for the end result I'll most likely wind up using another typeface.
...and if my CSS font stack calls for Arial, I nearly always specify Helvetica first, just because it looks nicer. ;)
So.....Is helvetica the Default for PollDaddy polls, or did you choose it in the design of your poll? hahaha
Even though, I like trying out new typefaces, I mostly prefer Helvetica because its Perfect!!
I try to limit my use of it. It may be the best font ever but I like variety!
Helvetica, i see it everywhere...is pretty much the 'default' font when you don't want to think too hard.
I use it sometimes but i try to find something else that makes sense most of the time.