The Legibility of Serif and Sans Serif Typefaces : Reading from Paper and Reading from Screens / by John T. E. Richardson.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Richardson, John T. E.

Series:

SpringerBriefs in Education, 2211-193X

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Literacy.

Applied linguistics.

Technical education.

Applied Linguistics.

Technology and Design education.

Local Subjects:

Literacy.

Applied Linguistics.

Technology and Design education.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (159 pages)

Edition:

1st ed. 2022.

Place of Publication:

Cham : Springer International Publishing : Imprint: Springer, 2022.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

This open access book provides a detailed and up-to-date account of the relevant literature on the legibility of different kinds of typefaces, which goes back over 140 years in the case of reading from paper and more than 50 years in the case of reading from screens. It describes the origins of serif and sans serif styles in ancient inscriptions, their adoption in modern printing techniques, and their legibility in different situations and in different populations of readers. It also examines recent research on the legibility of serif and sans serif typefaces when used with internet browsers, smartphones and other hand-held devices. The book investigates the difference in the legibility of serif typefaces and sans serif typefaces when they are used to produce printed material or when they are used to present material on computer monitors or other screens and it explores the differences in readers’ preferences among typefaces. The book’s main focus is on the psychology of reading, but there are clear implications for education and publishing. Indeed, the book can be read with benefit by anyone concerned with communicating with others through written text, whether it is printed on paper or displayed on computer screens.

Contents:

Intro

Acknowledgements

Contents

List of Figures

1 Introduction

1.1 The Origins of this Book

1.2 Serif Typefaces

1.3 Sans Serif Typefaces

1.4 Review Methodology

1.5 Conclusions

2 Concepts and Research Methods

2.1 Concepts

2.2 Objective Methods for Measuring the Legibility of Typefaces

2.3 Subjective Methods for Measuring the Legibility of Typefaces

2.4 The Size of Typefaces

2.5 Conclusions

Part I Reading from Paper

3 "Everybody Knows": Reading from Paper

3.1 Attitudes of Typographers

3.2 Dissenting Voices

3.3 Are Serifs Purely Decorative?

3.4 Conclusions

4 The Legibility of Letters and Words

4.1 Reading Letters and Words in Serif and Sans Serif Typefaces

4.2 The "Stripiness" of Printed Words

4.3 Confusions Among Letters in Serif and Sans Serif Typefaces

4.4 Measuring Visual Acuity

4.5 Conclusions

5 Reading and Comprehending Text

5.1 Reading Text in Serif and Sans Serif Typefaces

5.2 Comprehending Text in Serif and Sans Serif Typefaces

5.3 The Connotative Meaning of Typefaces

5.4 Connotations of Serif and Sans Serif Typefaces

5.5 Conclusions

6 Reading in Context

6.1 The Importance of Context

6.2 Serif and Sans Serif Typefaces in Newspaper Headlines

6.3 Wheildon's Research

6.4 More Recent Research

6.5 Conclusions

7 Younger and Older Readers

7.1 Younger Readers

7.2 Burt and Kerr's Research

7.3 Zachrisson's Research

7.4 Other Research with Children

7.5 Letter Reversals

7.6 Older Readers

7.7 Conclusions

8 Readers with Disabilities

8.1 Readers with Visual Impairment

8.2 Shaw's Research

8.3 Children in Special Education

8.4 Readers with Congenital Visual Impairment

8.5 Readers with Acquired Visual Impairment

8.6 Readers with Aphasia

8.7 Readers with Dyslexia

8.8 Conclusions.

9 General Conclusions to Part I

9.1 Key Findings from Part I

9.2 Preferences and Connotations

9.3 Implications for Previous Assumptions

9.4 The American Psychological Association's Current Position

9.5 Conclusions

Part II Reading from Screens

10 "Everybody Knows": Reading from Screens

10.1 Introduction

10.2 Legibility of Serif and Sans Serif Typefaces Using Older Technology

10.3 Issues with Screen Technology

10.4 Conclusions

11 The Legibility of Letters and Words

11.1 Reading Letters and Words in Serif and Sans Serif Typefaces

11.2 The "Stripiness" of Words Displayed on Screens

11.3 Confusions Among Letters in Serif and Sans Serif Typefaces

11.4 Conclusions

12 Reading and Comprehending Text

12.1 Reading Text in Serif and Sans Serif Typefaces

12.2 Comprehending Text in Serif and Sans Serif Typefaces

12.3 Rapid Serial Visual Presentation

12.4 Reading Material on Handheld Devices and Smartphones

12.5 Connotations of Serif and Sans Serif Typefaces

12.6 Conclusions

13 Readers with Disabilities

13.1 Readers with Visual Impairment

13.2 Readers with Dyslexia

13.3 Readers with Age-Related Macular Degeneration

13.4 Conclusions

14 Reading Text in Internet Browsers

14.1 The Legibility of Serif and Sans Serif Typefaces in Internet Browsers

14.2 The Research of Bernard and Colleagues

14.3 Subsequent Research

14.4 Conclusions

15 General Conclusions to Part II

15.1 Key Findings from Part II

15.2 Preferences and Connotations

15.3 Implications for Previous Assumptions

15.4 Conclusions

16 Coda: Lessons Learned

References

Author Index

Subject Index

Typeface Index.

ISBN:

9783030909840

3030909840

OCLC:

1299171868