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

Temper the Rules with Choice!

Now, please remember that these guidelines do not mean you should never use certain typefaces or formatting! It just means you must look carefully at your typeface and make a conscious choice—if your piece requires a high level of legibility, watch for the danger signs. If your job is one that people can take a tiny bit longer to absorb or if the words are not unusual, then feel free to play with features that are not at the top of the legibility list. Use that beautiful face with the tall ascenders and small x-height for a sign, or that lovely, graceful script for a special title, or that extra-bold face for web page headlines. People can read it, of course. Know the guidelines, be conscious of your typeface and ...