Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
Legibility and color
Incorporating color into type significantly
affects legibility, and the most important
consideration when working with type and
color is to achieve an appropriate contrast
between type and its background. The degree
of legibility sought depends entirely upon
the intent of the designer and the nature of
the content.
It has long been considered that black
type on a white background is most legible.
While this combination remains an excellent
choice, other alternatives may offer equal
if not improved legibility due to improved
digital and printing technologies, and the
fact that color is a relative phenomenon (Fig.
3-15 ). When applied to type, color should be
evaluated in relationship to the conditions
in which it is read. In print, for example, one
should consider the specific nature of the
paper. If the paper is white, is it a warm or
cool white? Is the surface of the paper rough
or smooth? Is it coated or uncoated? What
typeface is being considered, and in what
size will it appear?
Generally, all legibility guidelines related
to working with color and type in print
apply also to type appearing on a computer
screen. However, the use of color and type on
a screen should also take into consideration
the conditions of screen resolution and
luminescence, as well as whether the type is
static or in motion. Digital technologies have
vastly changed the way in which designers
use color and type, making it possible to easily
assign color from palettes containing millions
of colors. Also, the range of typographic
applications continues to expand, with
type asserting a role not only in printed and
environmental communications, but also in
on-screen media such as the Internet.
Appropriate contrast between type and its
background requires that designers carefully
weigh the three basic color properties of hue,
value, and saturation. By definition, hue and
tone are simply more specific names for color.
Value refers to the lightness or darkness of a
color, and saturation —also called chroma or
intensity —is the relative brightness of a color.
3-15 Black type on
a white background
and on a light gray
background prove highly
legible. Legibility suffers
as the contrast between
type and its background
diminishes. The color
temperature of the paper
upon which type is
printed and the choice
of typeface also have
a relative effect upon
legibility.
White type on
a light gray background
3-16 Legibility is greatly
compromised when type
and background are
assigned complementary
colors. Adjusting the
value of either color
improves contrast and
thus legibility. In this
example, the orange
background is lightened,
and the blue background
is darkened, in each case
improving legibility.
3-17 The analogous
hues yellow-green and
blue are sufficiently
different in value,
resulting in an acceptable
combination. A moderate
adjustment of the
yellow-green to a lighter
value further improves
legibility.
 
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