On Friday 14 August 2009 03:47:57 pm Craig wrote: > Peter Nermander wrote: > >> The most important thing is legibility, somewhat subjective, > >> but in general a serif font will be more easily readable at > >> small size than sans-serif. Some people, I think, get lost in > >> the idea of wanting a "modern" look to the font, and > >> sans-serif seems more sleek and modern. As your eye scans > >> across text, it can have a hard time differentiating the > >> number 1 from small letter l from capital I with some/many > >> sans-serif fonts, which means that your brain then must use > >> the context of surrounding letters, slowing the reading > >> process and bringing about some cognitive distraction. The > >> result is subtle visual and mental fatigue. > > > > As I understand it sans fonts are easier to read, but serif > > fonts are generally faster to read. > > > > This comes down to how we read. People without reading problems > > read "word images", we don't read the individual letters in the > > words but just see the whole word and our brain interprets it > > correctly. There are examples if this where words are written > > with nonsense letters, but the words look like regular words > > unless you spell through therm (like I just showed:-). > > > > But people with reading problems (or kids who are learning to > > read) read words one letter at a time. Then sans fonts are > > better because each letter stands by its own. > > > > For user manuals and similar there is no need to read fast, > > it's more important to not misunderstand, but for a 300 pages > > novel reading speed makes a difference (and it's less severe if > > you missunderstand a word here and there). > > As an aside to the font question... > > There is always a need to read fast.. if you have lots to do. > > You can read fast and comprehend just as much. I once did a speed > reading course and went from a lazy 500-600 words per minute to > over 1800 wpm with *improved* comprehension. > > Craig > > _______________________________________________ > scribus mailing list > scribus at lists.scribus.info > http://lists.scribus.info/mailman/listinfo/scribus
The book "Type & Layout" by Colin Wheidon & Geoffrey Heard comse down on the side of serif fonts for all uses in terms of comprehension. -- John Culleton Create Book Covers with Scribus/e-book $5.95 http://www.booklocker.com/books/4055.html
