'Helvetica the NFT' introduces the iconic typeface to the digital world

Over the last 65 years, the iconic sans serif typeface Helvetica has not only survived the many trends and styles, it has mostly been at the forefront of introducing and concluding them. The typeface that was born as ‘Neue Haas Grotesk’ in 1957 soon became a favourite with marketing, advertising and design industries. Influenced by H. Berthold AG’s Akzidenz-Grotesk font, Swiss typeface designers Max Miedinger and Edward Hoffman have designed the new typeface in a neo-grotesque design. Adding to Switzerland’s reputation as an attractive centre for ultra-modern graphic design then, Neue Haas Grotesk soon became an international favourite and was thus renamed Helvetica. Taking forward the long-standing significance of the typeface into the latest realms and digital world, Helvetica is now the driving force for a collection of NFTs. The American type foundry Monotype, in collaboration with KnownUnknown, an emerging web3 creative community, released Helvetica The NFT, a collection of NFTs created by two dozen artists and designers from around the world.

Love in Love by Lance Wyman Image: Courtesy of Monotype and KnownUnknown
Mother by Charles Nix Image: Courtesy of Monotype and KnownUnknown
H_NOW_VAR by Hermes Mazali Image: Courtesy of Monotype and KnownUnknown

While typography and NFTs are a lesser explored combination, Monotype’s first-ever digital art collection seems to open new possibilities. Though each design has a different story, concept and style, the presence of Helvetica remains the same. Bringing together artists from various industries such as graphic design, branding, footwear design and photography, the NFTs display an array of diverse creations. While using Helvetica Now Variable, the most digitally-optimised version of the typeface ever made, these renowned artists develop their own definitions.