Re: Fonts used in print
One thing about this discussion: I have to say that my prejudices towards
sans serif have been somewhat reduced, considering that 70% of Europeans
prefer that style of type.
I don't want to sound pedantic - or to cause greater confusion - but that's not quite what the statistic said. 70% of professional publications in Europe used sans serif fonts about 12 years ago. What the general European public prefers, then or now, could be something quite different.
One last thing: I still don't know why I hate Arial, yet I like Helvetica;
especially if they are similar. Maybe it's a subconscious thing (like the
hatred - of all - that is Microsoft)? ;-)
Try typing a line twice, once in Arial, and then again in Helvetica at about 36 points. Examining them closely, you may be able to pinpoint the differences. I'm writing from Linux, and I don't have any version of Arial installed, but I seem to recall that Arial is much more rounded than Helvetica.
Possibly, Arial may also be more poorly designed. If you look at Helvetica objectively, it's actually a well-designed font. But I do think that it's been so over-used that few people will be able to use it well for the next decade or so.
--
Bruce Byfield bbyfield -at- axionet -dot- com 604.421.7177
http://members.axion.net/~bbyfield
"'To be, or not to be; that's the question,' said Eeyore. 'Some of us can, and some of us can't, and that's all there is to it. You know what I've been suffering, Piglet? Slings and arrows, that's what. And it's my birthday as well. I would have liked a balloon. But what do I get? Slings and arrows. Not to mention a sea of troubles. Did I mention a sea of troubles, Piglet?'"
- Les Barker, "Eeyore's Speech From 'Piglet'"
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References:
RE: Fonts used in print: From: JB Foster
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