TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:RE: Typeface for Callout Boxes From:cchris -at- toptechwriter -dot- us To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com> Date:Tue, 8 Feb 2005 10:32:03 -0700
Hi Wallace,
The tradition for manuals in the US is serif for body text and sans-serif
for headings and captions. Callouts are usually sans-serif because they
are more readable at smaller font sizes (i.e., Helvetica at 9 point is as
readable as Garamond is at 11). So you can have smaller callouts for
cleaner looking graphics without sacrificing readablilty.
Chris
___________________________________________
TopTechWriter.US http://www.toptechwriter.us
Award-winning technical writing and illustration services.
> What is the conventional wisdom regarding typefaces for callout boxes?
> Should the callout box typeface differ from that used for the text? We
> use Times New Roman as the default text typeface. When callout boxes or
> text boxes are interspersed in the text, no rule governs whether the
> typeface within that box remains TNR, or is something else, perhaps a
> sans serif typeface such as Arial. =20
>
> It seems to me that recognition and readability are heightened when a
> different typeface appears in a callout box. And if any of you follow
> this practice, what typefaces do you use? Thank you most kindly for any
> suggestions.=20
>
> Wallace=20
WEBWORKS FINALDRAFT - EDIT AND REVIEW, REDEFINED
Accelerate the document lifecycle with full online discussions and unique feedback-management capabilities. Unlimited, efficient reviews for Word
and FrameMaker authors. Live, online demo: http://www.webworks.com/techwr-l
Doc-To-Help 7.5 Professional: New version with new features, improved performance and reliability, plus much more! Download your free trial today at www.componentone.com/techwrlfeb.
---
You are currently subscribed to techwr-l as:
archiver -at- techwr-l -dot- com
To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-techwr-l-obscured -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Send administrative questions to lisa -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- Visit http://www.techwr-l.com/techwhirl/ for more resources and info.
