Graphic Design: June 2007 Archives

If you're a designer like me, or you've ever worked with a designer, you might be familiar with placeholder text. That's right, Lorum Ipsum Dolor -- I'm looking at you, baby!

Me: "What's up, Lorum?"

LID: "Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua."

Me: "Its all greek to me."

<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorem_ipsum">According to Wikipedia</a>, "In publishing and graphic design, lorem ipsum is standard placeholder text used to demonstrate the graphic elements of a document or visual presentation, such as font, typography, and layout. Lorem ipsum also serves as placeholder text in mock-ups of visual design projects before the actual words are inserted into the finished product. When used in this manner, it is often called greeking."

Where am I going with this? Stick around and you'll find out!

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I got an email from my Mom a couple of weeks ago while they were in Savannah, Georgia on vacation. "Did you know there's a movie about Helvetica? They're showing it at the design school here."

Yes, and sadly, the film has yet to come to Omaha. "Oh man, they're showing Helvetica there? It hasn't been here yet, might have to wait for it to be on DVD..."

"You must feel so awed that you have such a cutting edge Mom that I would recognize a film like this and know you'd get a kick! Too funny."

Indeed. Ah, Helvetica. The font of Target, American Airlines, Toyota, Verizon, Panasonic, Tupperware, Nestle, BMW, the list goes on and on like one of my stories. The font the IRS uses on income tax forms. The font used everywhere throughout the NYC subway. See what I mean? Ah, Helvetica, you glorious beauty, you.