Fonts
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The font should
be easy to read. Generally a size 12-14 point
font should be used, depending on the font style. The color
of the font should complement the background, but not
blend into it. Generally a dark font should be used
on a light background or a light font on a dark background.
Light on dark detracts from readability.
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The font should
not be distracting and should be appropriate
for the material.
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The font used
should be consistent throughout the document. Size
should also be consistent.
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Only use standard
web fonts (Arial, Times New Roman, Courier New, etc.).Otherwise,
the text will be displayed in a default font wherever your
font is not located.
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Use a graphics
program to create a .jpg or .gif of an unusual font
you'd like to use. Such use is demonstrated at the top of
the page.
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Avoid using
too much text on a page. It is hard to read, and often
invites a user to skip over content. Instead, organize your
text and place related text hyperlinked to different pages.
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The jury
is still out over whether to use sans-serifed or serifed
fonts on websites. Traditionally, serifed fonts were
used in print media because of better readability, but sans-serifed
fonts were used on broadcast media, such as television.
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However,
with the advent of computers, the differentiation
becomes more difficult. The best rule of thumb is
to make sure your font is readable in its context,
including color and background. If there is a great
deal of text, experiment with both styles and see
which works better.
A
Comparison: Good vs. Bad Font Use
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Good
|
Bad
|
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When in the Course of human
events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve
the political bands which have connected them with
another, and to assume among the powers of the earth,
the separate and equal station to which the Laws of
Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent
respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they
should declare the causes which impel them to the
separation.
|
When
in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary
for one people to dissolve the political bands which
have connected them with another, and to assume among
the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station
to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle
them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires
that they should declare the causes which impel them
to the separation. |
|
