What makes an accessible typeface? And how can we improve typography in regard to web accessibility?
To answer this and other questions, I invited type designer Eleni Beveratou, creative director at Dalton Maag.
We discuss:
🔵 The difference between legibility and readability
🔵 What makes an accessible typeface?
🔵 If Arial and Comic Sans are really superior?
🔵 If we should use designated fonts for dyslexic people in our designs more often?
🔵 How you can mess up the most accessible typeface by using it inaccurately.
🔵 If you should avoid italics or centered text?
🔵 And, if ligatures are helpful or can be problematic?
This was recorded as a fun an easy-going live stream on YouTube. If you want so see the visuals, maybe check out the video as well, but I think for the most part you will be good to follow along.
https://pimpmytype.com/talk06
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Talking Points:
0:03:00 Why Eleni got interesting in Accessibility
0:05:00 Accessibility is not only for the blind
0:09:10 How reading works
0:12:30 Accessibility is Legibility, Readability, Likability
0:17:00 What makes an accessible typeface?
0:28:15 Sans-Serif vs. Serif fonts
0:35:00 Are accessible fonts always the same?
0:42:45 Should we avoid very expressive fonts?
0:46:45 Fonts for dyslexia
1:02:50 Making accessible fonts inaccessible
1:07:15 Text Contrast: Light on Dark, Dark on Light
1:14:00 Use italic text sparingly
1:16:50 Tracking fonts
1:21:00 Avoid centered text
1:25:35 Are ligatures problematic or helpful?
1:30:00 Be careful with Guidelines
1:32:00 Closing