Studio Brief 2 - Typeface Design - Legibility of type

Legibility of type 

Typographic Design : Form and Communication

- Letterforms must have clarity in order for the reader to understand written communication without confusion. To make a typeface legible it must have contrast, simplicity and proportion. Legibility means communicating information objectively. 

- For typography to be effective, factors such as context, subtle adjustments of letterforms and their spatial relationships must be taken into consideration. 

- The basic structure of each letterform must remain the same for it to be recognisable. 

- Letters are put into four groups, strokes with vertical, strokes that are curved , a combination, or oblique. - Similar characteristics within a letterform are more likely to be confused. Letters with distinct qualities have greater contrast within a word. 

- Upper halves of letters have more visual cues. 

- Right halves of letters are more recognisable than the left. 

- Dominant letters with ascenders or descenders help in word recognition. 

- Vowels which are most frequently used are the most illegible. c,g,s,x are easily missed and f,I,j,l,t are mistaken from one another.

Typographic Design : Form and Communication

- The perception of a letter is based on the form and counterform relationship. 

- Serif text more readable because of the horizontal flow that the serifs create. They also have more character definition than sans serif typefaces. 

- We read and perceive words and groups of words not just letters. Letters are have no significance until it is part of a word. In the reading process word shape and internal pattern are important. Words are identified by their distinctive word shapes. 

- Counterforms create internal word patterns which provide cues for recognition. If internal spaces are altered the perceptual clarity can be altered. 

- Text set in capital letters loses legibility because of the even word outline and similar shape and size which does not provide enough visual difference. 

- Lowercase letters are distinct and have irregular word shape and internal patterns. High contrast allows the word shape to be perceived better. 

- The reader becomes confused if a words appearance differs from the originally learned word shape.  Spacing of letterforms must be taken into consideration allowing the letters to flow. 

- Narrow letter and word spacing cause words to merge together whereas wide letterspacing is disruptive to the reader. 

Typographic Design : Form and Communication

- Small type reduces visibility and can destroy counterforms. Large type will be perceived in sections rather than as a whole. 

- Light typefaces are not as distinguishable from the background. Heavy typefaces lose their internal pattern of counterforms. Weight can provide contrast and clarity. Heavier or lighter weight can emphasise information making it more comprehensible. Thick and thin strokes make reading more difficult as smooth transitions between words are prevented. 

- Extreme contrasts in a text setting create a dazzle or sparkle effect which is where there is difficulty distinguishing words. 

- The shape or size of a page or column is important when choosing a typeface. Condensed typefaces are better for narrow pages or columns as it allows enough characters and words to a line. Condensed type is more difficult to read, a narrower letter changes the form and counterform relationship creating an extreme vertical posture which alters eye movement. 

- Italics slow the reading process however are useful for showing emphasis.

Typography: Macro and Micro Aesthetics

The form of letters

Letters have distinct structures in which typographic communication relies on. Therefore letterforms should be clear and concise. A letter is made up of a combination of strokes which determine its meaning. A well designed typeface takes into consideration the relationships between letters in which they should coordinate in an unlimited number of combinations. Large changes in the form or structure of a letter make them harder to differentiate between.

Typography: Macro and Micro Aesthetics

Form and Counterform

Letterforms also define there counterforms. When letters are combined new counterforms are created. Tight spacing intensifies counterforms and open spacing emphasises the individual letter. Counterforms can reveal the character of a particular letter or make it more mysterious. Elements must be arranged so that counterforms are clearly defined.