Making Sense of Typography On Your Blog

Photo: Elisabeth85

Are you fully aware that typography if used correctly can enhance the appearance of your blog and increase readability?

I've seen blogs that don't regard typography as an important visual element in their blog makeup. This is probably due to a lack of understanding in the use of typography.

A blogger is a publisher. And as in the traditional world of publishing, publishers are expected to acquire "typographic literacy."

I've seen a lot of blogs with good content. These blogs have good articles on them but they seldom break blocks of text into more palatable and readable paragraphs.

A huge chunk of paragraph is not easy on the eye and is more likely to discourage the reader. It's even worst when it's italicized. Ideally, each paragraph should comprise from one to three sentences only.

Just imagine if you have been starring at the screen for a long while, would you find it easy to read that huge chunk of text?

Take a look at most newspapers where readers today are not expected to linger over volumes of text. Paragraphs are neatly broken up into digestible portions enabling the reader to read or scan through the text easily. That's what we call legibility.

Just as today's newspaper readers are regarded as "scanners," according to studies, so are most blog readers. Based on that, it's obvious that design or "editorial presentation" must succeed in capturing the reader's attention. Make it "sticky," if you please.

As readers, we can recognize the different typographic styles like CAPITALS and lower case, roman and italic, regular and bold, a serif typeface and a sans serif style, and so on.

Now try reading the above eight paragraphs again below where they're lumped together and you'll see what I mean...

Are you fully aware that typography if used correctly can enhance the appearance of your blog and increase readability? I've seen blogs that don't regard typography as an important visual element in their blog makeup. This is probably due to a lack of understanding in the use of typography. A blogger is a publisher. And as in the traditional world of publishing, publishers are expected to acquire "typographic literacy." I've seen a lot of blogs with good content. These blogs have good articles on them but they seldom break blocks of text into more palatable and readable paragraphs. A huge chunk of paragraph is not easy on the eye and is more likely to discourage the reader. It's even worst when it's italicized. Ideally, each paragraph should comprise from one to three sentences only. Just imagine if you have been starring at the screen for a long while, would you find it easy to read that huge chunk of text? Take a look at most newspapers where readers today are not expected to linger over volumes of text. Paragraphs are neatly broken up into digestible portions enabling the reader to read or scan through the text easily. That's what we call legibility. Just as today's newspaper readers are regarded as "scanners," according to studies, so are most blog readers. Based on that, it's obvious that design or "editorial presentation" must succeed in capturing the reader's attention. Make it "sticky," if you please. As readers, we can recognize the different typographic styles like CAPITALS and lower case, roman and italic, regular and bold, a serif typeface and a sans serif style, and so on.

The importance of adding contrast

Another key ingredient in typography usage involves adding contrast between elements on a page. Changes in typography can be very effective in creating contrast.

In some cases, you can create a distinct identity when visuals are replaced by contrasting typefaces and type sizes to distinguish key phrases or words from less important elements.

Why? When every type on a page "shouts", it's hard to pay attention to what each one is trying to say. There'll be too much verbal noise. It's typographic cacophony!

Contrast also comes from the skilful use of white space to highlight headings and visuals. When it's done in the right manner, contrast adds tension and interest to a page.



Photo: 7-how-7

Here are some tips regarding typography:

> Type as a tone of voice

To make the most of its capabilities, it's necessary to use ingenuity, tempered with taste and restraint. Typography is an art capable of great expressiveness and variety, according to Jan White, author of Editing By Design and an award-winning designer in magazines, newsletters, books and tabloids.

> When to use Italics

Use Italics sparingly. They are harder to read than their Roman counterparts. Italics lend themselves best to informal use as constrast to the more formal Roman, i.e. as large, floating lines, as blurbs or quotes run ragged right (don't justify it!).

> When to use ALL CAPITALS

Use them only when lines are very short - as label headlines, sidebar titles, or single words popping up above normal lower case. Try reading long lines of capitals and your eyes will roll over!

Is it so hard to understand typography?

Studying the art of typography can be very deep and complex. But it can be learned just like any other art or craft.

Understanding typography is not that difficult to do, because it only takes some common sense to grasp that understanding. It's all about good judgment and taste.

The effective use of typography is all about communication. That's right, effective visual communication. Applying it correctly will help your blog to be more readily accepted by readers. Make it easy on the reader's eye when he or she reads your article - and if you write well enough, I'm sure the reader will appreciate it.

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