Working With Type

Readability vs Legibility

Readability Refers to whether an extended amount of text (an

article, a book or an annual report) is easy to read.

Legibility Refers to whether a short burst of text (a headline, a

paragraph, a stop sign, etc.) is instantly recognizable.

How to Improve Readability?Use serif fonts for large amounts of text.

How to Improve Readability?Shorter lines are easier to read.

How to Improve Readability?Text aligned on the left is the most readable!

Rule 1For optimum legibility, choose classical, time-tested typefaces with a proven track record.

Rule 2Try not to use more than 2 typefaces at a time. Introduce the 2nd typeface to create emphasis or separate different parts of text from each other, etc.

Rule 3Don’t combine typefaces that aretoo similar in appearance. Example:

Rule 4Use upper and lower case letters for higher legibility. Text set in all caps retards reading.Example:

Rule 5Avoid rivers. Rivers are visually unattractivegaps appearing to run down a paragraph of text. Example:

Rule 6For text type, use sizes that according tolegibility studies prove most readable. Body copy is usually 8-12 pt. Note, typefaces of same size might appear different:

Rule 7Avoid using too many different type sizesand weights at the same time.

Rule 8Avoid typefaces that appear too heavy or toolight. Example: This font is too heavy!

Rule 9Don’t stretch fonts on a computer. Always scale them proportionally!

Rule 10Fix the text rag. Make sure all lines have approximately the same length. Example:

Rule 11Use appropriate line lengths. Lines that aretoo short or too long are hard to read. It’s good to have 9-11 words per line.

Rule 12For body text, use consistent letter and wordspacing to produce an uninterrupted texture.

Rule 13Clearly mark paragraphs, but be careful notto upset the integrity and visual consistencyof the text.

Rule 14

Avoid widows and orphans when possible. A widow is a word left in a line by itself atthe end of a paragraph.

An orphan is a single syllable at the endof a paragraph.

Rule 15

Emphasize words in the text with discretion and without disturbing the flow of reading. Try to avoid underlining, coloring words, etc. Use italics when possible. Don’t overdo it!!!

Rule 16When working with type and color, ensure that sufficient contrast exists between type and it’s background.

Always use curly quotes and apostrophes!

Don’t have more than 2-3 hyphenated

words per one paragraph.

Rule 17

Rule 18

Great Video to Watch:

Jacek Utko designs to save newspapershttp://www.ted.com/talks/jacek_utko_asks_can_design_save_the_newspaper.html

How is the line & color being used here? Composition?

Useful Links:

All you need to know about different types of fonts:http://www.paratype.com/help/term/

How to kern type:http://www.coolhomepages.com/cda/kerning/

How to choose appropriate leading:http://desktoppub.about.com/cs/typespacing/a/leading.htm

Useful Links:

Freeware fonts available for download:http://www.dafont.com

http://www.urbanfonts.com

“The Non-Designers Type Book” by Robin Williams

“Experimental Typography” (Working With Computer Type, No 4)

Good Typography Books: