Serif vs. Sans Serif
By Rosendorf Theo on January 18, 2006
Serifs or no serifs? What’s your vote?
Sans serif type is superior for legibility and should be used whenever possible before using serif type.
Visually, serif type is more appealing than sans serif type. Affording more opportunities, it should be used in place of sans serif type whenever possible.
Both serif and sans serif type can be equally effective for legibility and style. Each should be used whenever appropriate.
Steph
Pointless discussion – sorry.
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Robin Clarke
I get lots of direct marketing mailings here. These people thoroughly research what mailings make them profits v losses. They know what theyre doing (have built millionaire businesses on these letetrs) and they nearly *never* use sans-serif fonts.
I rest my case.
Meanwhile the early computers weren’t up to serif and the computer world has therefrom got stuck in its rut of “modern” tradition.
robert moyerman
the federal government has gotten in the act with new directives for city street signs. FHWA Administrator Victor Mendez says, “RESEARCH SHOWS THAT OLDER DRIVERS ARE BETTER ABLE TO READ SIGNS WHEN THEY ARE WRITTEN IN BOTH CAPITAL AND SMALL LETTERS”.i would like to see the study. there may or not be much difference for reading. this problem is maybe like flash cards. it is hard enough to read street signs when you’re driving.
Easier or EASIER. try this yourself with DeJaVu Serif.
Fishing Umbrella
::; I am really thankful to this topic because it really gives useful information -~`
Mucy
Which is better – 2 seater roadster or a bus. You can’t have 18 people in a roadster and you can’t do NASCAR with a bus. Sans serifs are good for one thing, serifs are good for another. Try Times New Roman on a black surface. Or reading a book in Arial. Your eyes will hurt. But all designers know: client is god. And when the clients want to have it done wrong, I give them URW Classico.
Theo Rosendorf
@Mucy I began this post as an experiment… to stir up trouble. Your comment is by far the best one yet.
Mucy
Haha 🙂 Thanks… 🙂
I’ve been designing books ‘n’ stuff for about 15 years and there’s always the same problem.
The usual conversation about books for children:
“Make a book in Sans Serif” they say.
“Why? I told you it’s wrong.” I say
“Well, children have difficulties reading.” they say.
“Have you asked yourself WHY they are having difficulties?”
And this goes on and on (for as long as I have patience). Then I use URW Classico, which is technically Sans Serif but a hint of serifs make it more readable.
And everyone’s happy. I probably made some 100 children’s books using that writing. It’s easier than arguing.
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