Cases Quote by Michael Bierut
“The studies I've seen about readability and legibility tend to focus on a specific set of metrics: size, not just the point size, but things like the size of the lower case letters as a proportion of the overall letter height, and line length. People simply can't read really small type set in really long lines.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Design Talk, Michael Bierut, 2015
Readability depends on size, proportion, and line length; small type in long lines is hard to read.
In simple terms: Small text and long lines hurt readability.
Key Takeaway
Design with appropriate size and spacing.
Themes
design
readability
typography
visual communication
Mood
concerned
analytical
Type
instructional
observational
When to use this quote
- web design
- print layout
- UI design
- advertising
- signage
Key Concepts
proportion
legibility
human factors
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance aesthetic and legibility?
- What metrics matter most for your audience?
A Different Perspective
Long lines can still be hard even with good size choices.
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