Non-Designer’s Type Book, The, Second Edition

Moderation is the Key

I’m sure you see the pattern by now—moderation in every facet of typography is the key to eminent readability. Now, this does not mean that you have to be dull and boring and moderate at all times! It just means that you need to be conscious and make conscious choices.

• Perhaps you want to use a very distinctive face in a brochure. If the face itself is not intrinsically readable, then make up for it in other areas of readability—an appropriate line length and word spacing, avoid all caps, etc. Make sure that all other text is eminently readable, and then you can get away with areas of fancy type.

• If you want to use a sans serif in body copy, use a shorter line length and a little extra space between the lines.

• If you want ...