Philip Bradley - Chapter 4

Chapter four discusses the legibility of typefaces and individual characters in type. Legible typography is a means of communicating information objectively. Letters can be clustered into four groups depending on the features of strokes that are vertical, curved, a combination of both, or oblique. Also, an interesting feature of letterforms is that the upper halves have more distinguishing characteristics than the lower portions. When reading, there are two important factors involved and they are word shape and internal pattern. Also, the combination of word shape and internal pattern creates a word structure, an all inclusive term describing the unique composition of each word. The spacing of letterforms, interletter spacing, has a significant impact on legibility as well. Often overlooked by readers, it takes great skill to adjust interletter spacing to create beautiful type that flows smoothly. 

Critical to spatial harmony and legibility is an understanding of the triadic relationship of type size, line length, and interline spacing. Something to keep in mind when making decisions about type size is that the normal reading distance for printed material is from twelve to fourteen inches. In addition to this, an appropriate line length is essential for achieving a pleasant rhythm, allowing a reader to relax and concentrate on the content of the words. When considering the legibility of a typeface, the weight of the strokes should be carefully examined. A typeface that is too light or too heavy has diminished legibility. Color in type also significantly affects the legibility of type. The most important consideration with color in type is too achieve an appropriate amount of contrast between type and its background. With regards to justified type, traditionally all type was set in a justified alignment. In the 1920s however, designers began to question this an experiment giving us the widely accepted unjustified and asymmetrical typography we find today.

I chose this image of a cube-based typeface because it shows how important distinguishing characteristics are so that the typeface is legible.