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Functional and Perceptive Considerations for Type Design

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Advances in Ergonomics in Design (AHFE 2021)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems ((LNNS,volume 261))

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Abstract

Typefaces are artifacts that express the dynamic relationship between form and content, encode ideas and convey meanings. Type design requires broad skills in letter shapes, in-depth knowledge of print and digital media, the reading process and an artistic sensitivity to form. The aim of this study is to explore how functional and perceptive characteristics contribute to type design activities. By employing a qualitative approach, through observations, reviewing the scientific studies, both by designers, and psychology and reading researchers, and merging them with type designers craft knowledge, this study seeks to find out which factors nurture and must be taken into account for type design. The results suggest that the relations between ascenders, descenders and x-height; contrast; color and weight; serifs; distinctive character features; counters; joins; and familiar shapes, seem to be the most important structural, perceptive and stylistic factors that contribute to type design.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. ID+Research Institute for Design, Media and Culture/uniMAD/School of Media Arts and Design, Polytechnic Institute of Porto, Porto, Portugal

    Vítor Quelhas

  2. ID+Research Institute for Design, Media and Culture/School of Design, Polytechnic Institute of Cavado and Ave., Barcelos, Portugal

    Jorge Brandão Pereira

Authors
  1. Vítor Quelhas
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  2. Jorge Brandão Pereira
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Correspondence to Vítor Quelhas .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Faculdade de Arquitetura, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal

    Francisco Rebelo

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Quelhas, V., Pereira, J.B. (2021). Functional and Perceptive Considerations for Type Design. In: Rebelo, F. (eds) Advances in Ergonomics in Design. AHFE 2021. Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems, vol 261. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-79760-7_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-79760-7_3

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-79759-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-79760-7

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