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Now, it's all under the notebook umbrella. Seems to be appropriate as it is just my notes after all. I also updated some notes from there. I didn't keep track of what it is this time. Something about more learning notes extracted from my "Learning how to learn" course notes and then some. Lack of time and hurriness just makes it difficult to track but it should be under version control already.
2.6 KiB
2.6 KiB
Practical typography
One of my favorite books especially with well-written summaries for each topic.
- typography is relevant for everyone who writes
-
what typography is:
- involved whenever the text is displayed by the billboard, printed in a paper, or drafted in the wall
- has a function just like photography or web design where practitioners will use whatever techniques to raise the level of their work
- main function is to hold reader attention
- a tool to improve your writing
-
what typography is not:
- usage of fonts (or entirely composed of fonts)
- a substitute for your writing
-
what good typography is:
- reinforces your message
- goal-oriented and utilitarian, not based on taste; an aesthetically pleasing text that doesn't enforce your message is considered a failure; otherwise, an unappealing look that does reinforce your text is considered a success
- spacing before and after are more subtle and effective
- prefer bold over italics since it is easier to see
- while justified alignment looks nice, often they don't look well when applied automatically with software; in such case, prefer left-align instead
-
fonts usage:
- prefer to use two sets of fonts for the body and the headings
- it doesn't mean to use two different font families, though; you can use one font family by setting the headings to use bold
- use point size larger than 12pt, another old habit from newspapers; oftentimes it is not enough to see it in our display and it forces the user to go closer to the display (not exactly what you want)
-
paragraphs:
- no double-spacing per sentence, it is an old and unnecessary habit picked up for today
- one way to mark a paragraph is first-line indents
- another is newlines at the end of the paragraph
- choose only one way to mark a paragraph otherwise it is overkill
- avoid widows and orphans; most software lets you do this automatically
- line spacing shouldn't be single spaced as it will make dense lines and hard to read; otherwise, it also shouldn't be doubly spaced since it will make loose lines; the ideal spacing is between 120% to 150% (of course, depending on the font)
-
headings:
- should structure your arguments, not your document
- prefer in title cases because your headings are not titles
- limit to 2/3 levels of heading, otherwise, it will make navigation confusing (unless you're writing a technical specification)