Chapter 4 Summary - Stephanie Tatoiu

Chapter 4 Summary: Basic Principles of Legibility

Letterforms' purpose is to be recognizable to a person. The letterforms should be based on clarity by making each one distinct in the alphabet. Typefaces with strong legibility should be characterized on three qualities: contrast, simplicity, and proportion. Typography that is effective should depend on factors like communication context and certain changes to letterforms and the space between them. Even though there is a variation of size, proportion, weight, and elaboration for a letterform design, each letter form should stay the same. Letters can be organized into four groups: vertical, curved, a combination of vertical and curved, or oblique. Letters that have similar traits about them will be more confusing, while letters with very specific characteristics will make them easier to distinguish. Letters that are used a lot, like a, e, i, o, and u, tend to be harder to read. c, g, s, and x are even more difficult to catch. Some letters can be mistaken for other letters, like f, i, j, l, and t. If a letter shape changes, then the way that letter will be read changes too.

Two important factors that will change how a person will read are the word shape and internal pattern. Capital letters that make up the entirety of a text will be difficult to read, while text that is set in lowercase will be easier; each letter is distinct and has a specific shape and internal pattern. The spatial relationship is also extremely important. It needs to be controlled in order to make words readable but to also make typography look good. When there is consistency with the texture and special interval between elements, the text will be much easier to understand. Too much space or too little space will ruin the texture.

Type size, line length, and interline spacing, and weight is also key to legibility. Text type that is too small or too large decreases legibility. Having a certain amount of line length is also important for keeping a good reading rhythm. Interline spacing carries the eye from line to line easily. Weight needs to be particular as well for a good readability. Lastly, having a good sense of color with type is beneficial too. Having a good contrast with the type and its background will make the text pop out. This, along with justification, paragraph spacing, and indentation, will bring out the best in a piece of typography.