Re: Font Size(s)

Subject: Re: Font Size(s)
From: Bruce Byfield <bbyfield -at- axion -dot- net>
To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Date: Tue, 20 Sep 2005 14:28:31 -0700


On Tue, 2005-20-09 at 17:02 -0400, Art Campbell wrote:
> It may very well be a myth, but one that seems to be supported by many
> academic studies and empirical research. Google "legibility of fonts research"
> and have at it.

The older I get, the more I'm inclined to question anything that
"everybody knows." The fact that academic studies and empirical research
support the idea means very little, because few, if any of them, have
been conducted by professional typographers who would know how to
organize a meaningful study. Their results are only slightly more
meaningful than a team of researchers announcing that a psychic must
have genuine powers. Without a magician on the team who works with
similar tricks, the conclusion is unconvincing.

It's true that the on-line use of sans serif is a guideline for design.
But the idea is a myth in the sense that it may not be true in any
particular case. Several people, including myself, have pointed out the
many factors that can affect whether a font's use is appropriate.
Moreover, slab serifs can also be just as effective as serifs for
on-line use.

Perhaps "myth" is a little strong, but the idea is potentially
misleading.

--
Bruce Byfield 604-421-7177
http://members.axion.net/~bbyfield

"Mr Ledbetter won't you tell me again,
What's a Mississippi flush and how's it beat this hand?"
"They don't ask questions in the graveyard,
It's a small revolver and any five cards."
- Ray Wylie Hubbard, "Mississippi Flush"


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Follow-Ups:

References:
RE: Font Size(s): From: Dan Goldstein
Re: Font Size(s): From: Art Campbell

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