Firstly, I think text formatting, especially fonts matter, is quite simple to write. Then when I have read an article about fonts in the notion of web accessibility by Web Accessibility in Mind (n.d.), I found that fonts matter is not as simple as choosing the size and the type of the fonts. It will take along writing for exploring the fonts in its details, thus these are some important point:
Before continue to the text formatting, I just remember PARC principles that Michael Henderson mention in his paper titled Content Design for Online Learning (Henderson & Henderson, 2006). Indeed, the heading usage is one of the methods of for creating proximity and repetition of the content. Moreover, combination of font setting, contrast adjustment and appropriate alignment setting increase web content usability.
The next exploration will not continue about text formatting, but accessible document format.
- Real text is better than graphical text because it can be enlarged with out pixel lost and compatible with screen reader.
- Basic, simple, easily-readable font families commonly used by web developer are the good choice to make a website content readable in any computer platform and browser.
- Limited number of fonts will make a web content looks tidy and easy to read.
- Contrast between the text and the background should be sufficiently set.
- Standard font sizes for reading.
- Units for font size should be relative (% or ems) to make sure it resizable by browser control. For some CMS it is embedded to the paragraph style.
- Font variation such as bold, italics, and ALL CAPITAL LETTERS should be limited to make the content looks tidy.
- Font appearance (color, shape, font variation, placement, etc.) should not convey any meaning.
- Blinking or moving text is not accessible.
Before continue to the text formatting, I just remember PARC principles that Michael Henderson mention in his paper titled Content Design for Online Learning (Henderson & Henderson, 2006). Indeed, the heading usage is one of the methods of for creating proximity and repetition of the content. Moreover, combination of font setting, contrast adjustment and appropriate alignment setting increase web content usability.
The next exploration will not continue about text formatting, but accessible document format.
Henderson, M. & Henderson, L. (2006). Content Design for Online Learning. QUICK: Journal of the Queensland Society for Information Technology in Education, 99(Winter). pp.3-8. Retrieved from http://cemmx.educ.monash.edu.au/moodle/mod/resource/view.php?id=81
Web Accessibility in Mind (n.d.) Fonts. Retrieved 5 April, 2010, from http://www.webaim.org/techniques/fonts/
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