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Subject:Re: Font Selection Methodology From:"Michael West" <mike -dot- west -at- oz -dot- quest -dot- com> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Tue, 23 Apr 2002 11:44:42 +1000
<Arlen -dot- P -dot- Walker -at- jci -dot- com> wrote:
> I *did* mention that the size had to be readable, even though you chose not
> to quote it.
"Size" is only part of the problem. (Size of what, by the way? x-height?
Leading? Line length? They are all interdependant.)
What do you mean by "readable"? Readable like
a highway sign? Readable like a book cover? Readable
like a newspaper headline? Readable like body
text? Readable like the stock exchange listings
in the back of the newspaper?
What is the content? Long textual passages or small
blocks? How is it to be used? What means of
reproduction are to be used? Under what lighting conditions,
and at what distance, is the material to be read?
What scheme of headings and sub-headings will show
subordination of content?
These are just some of the questions that must be answered
when designing a publication.
This is not about "the perfect font." What it's about is that
if you want a document to work, you need to design it to work.
> Dreck, typeset elegantly and published perfectly, is still dreck.
Surely that doesn't require stating in this group. Or did I miss
all the posts where people were arguing in favor of elegant dreck?
--
Michael West
Melbourne Australia
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