Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
READING ON SCREEN
Typographic adjustments must be made to
text because of differences in how information
is read on screen. In print, readers mark their
progress as well as establish points of reference
by turning the page. It's easy to establish how
far the reader has come or how much remains
by how many pages are physically before or
after the page that's currently being read. With
on-screen type an entire article is typically
contained on a single page, bypassing the
visual and tactile cues as to pace, tempo, and
position that are inherent to print.
Because of this difference, readers of
on-screen text have established new habits.
Before an in-depth reading, site users pre-
read or scan the page they are on. From this
quick view, length, relevance, and hierarchy
are understood and the choice to read the
entirety is made.
While reading, screen viewers do not
benefit from the tempo or progression markers
of turning a page. Variety of units of text,
images, rules, and dynamic variations in
white space all help readers mark their pace
and place in the body of text. When designers
provide these types of visual breaks, readers
are able to stop and restart reading or return to
a specific place in the text in a manner that's
similar to print typography (Fig.
8-12
).
8-12
The website
Medium.com uses a
variety of units of text,
images, rules, and
dynamic variations in
white space to establish
a reading rhythm.
