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Subject:Re: DISCUSSION: Multiple Text Styles on Same Page From:Michael Lewis <lewism -at- BRANDLE -dot- COM -dot- AU> Date:Fri, 12 Dec 1997 11:58:50 +1100
This is one of those cases where conventional wisdom doesn't quite fit,
but the principles still need to be considered. Too many typeface
variations will certainly give your page a cluttered and untidy look;
the reason conventional wisdom says "don't do it" is because it creates
visual distractions that get in the way of information transfer. At the
same time, if you don't give your readers maximum help in separating
"what you type" from "what you need to know about what you type" etc,
you're not doing anyone a favour.
If you find that making typographical distinctions leads to excessive
typographical variety, try to restructure the material, or put the
user/machine dialogs into screen images as graphics (perhaps with
callouts).
(BTW, talking about "downstyling headings" isn't verbing a noun -- it's
verbing an adjective!)
--
Michael Lewis
Brandle Pty Limited, Sydney, Australia
PO Box 1249, Strawberry Hills, NSW 2012
Tel +61-2-9310-2224 ... Fax +61-2-9310-5056
