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I wrote, with respect to font selection, that "anyone
looking for simple answers will be disappointed."
Arlen P. Walker disagreed, saying:
> No, anyone looking for comprehensive answers will be disappointed.
Actually, there is a great deal written on graphic design.
"Comprehensive" information *is* available. What isn't available
is a rule that says "always use this typeface and everything will
be fine."
> How do you select fonts? As some previous wise person noted, "Steal one
> from a book that worked."
You need to look at the over-all design of the page -- not
just the name of the typeface. That's what Tufte said in the
quotation I cited: "Good type is a solved problem. Just look
at well-designed books."
If all you do is "steal" the typeface name, you will have missed the
whole point of the exercise.
> Obsess
> about facts; obsess about illustrations; obsess about clear presentation.
> Fonts aren't worth more than a minute or two.
They certainly are if you are preparing camera-ready copy,
or type for the Web. "Clear presentation" means visual
coherence, and type setting is part of that.
> My faves? Baskerville, GillSans, and Caslon, in that order. But that's
only
> relevant if the site style manual doesn't say otherwise.
It's also relevant only if you specify the setting, not just
the name of the typeface.
See? Not so simple. Dismissing the issue as
insignificant does not prove anything. For proof,
look around on the Web and see how many pages
fail the test of "clear presentation" because of
incompetent use of type.
--
Michael West
Melbourne, Australia
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