Legibility, in practice, amounts simply to what one is…
“Legibility, in practice, amounts simply to what one is accustomed to. But this is not to say that because we have got used to something demonstrably less legible than something else would be if we could get used to it, we should make no effort to scrap the existing thing. This was done by the Florentines and Romans of the fifteenth century; it requires simply good sense in the originators & good will in the rest of us.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Legibility depends on habit, but we must improve designs rather than accept poor standards.
In simple terms: Habit shapes readability, yet better design is needed.
Key Takeaway
Challenge outdated designs with clear standards.
Themes
design
legibility
habit
improvement
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
critical
educational
When to use this quote
- graphic design
- urban signage
- digital interfaces
- educational materials
Key Concepts
visual perception
cognitive ergonomics
Questions to Reflect On
- How can designers persuade audiences to adopt clearer designs?
- What incentives encourage abandoning familiar but poor legibility?
A Different Perspective
Changing habits is slow; resistance may arise.