Design factors that improve legibility include the choice of type style, weight, slant, and spacing. Letters require high legibility at small sizes, and while larger sizes reduce legibility concerns, readability issues may emerge.
Sans Serif Superiority
Sans serif faces are more legible than serif faces, especially at smaller sizes. However, careful typeface selection remains crucial, as quality varies among sans serif options.
Type Design Characteristics
Important design aspects for legible letterforms include:
- Relatively large x-height (improves legibility at small sizes)
- Open counter spaces
- Equal stroke width
- Moderate width (avoiding narrow or extremely extended faces)
- Regular to slightly bold weights
Accessibility Consideration
Natscha Frensch's "Read Regular" typeface was designed with particular individual distinctions for letters that are similar (like 'b'/'d' and 'b'/'p'), benefiting dyslexic readers and potentially aiding low-vision users and older adults.
Spacing
The spacing of the letters on the screen is equally important to the design of the typeface. Poorly spaced type reduces legibility, and digital typography requires larger tracking and interline spacing than print design.