{"title":"Applying cognitive and perceptual science to typeface choices.","authors":"Sofie Beier, Myra Thiessen","doi":"10.1080/00140139.2025.2541255","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>A general focus within reading research is to isolate individual cognitive and perceptual processes for investigation. By doing so, we gradually increase our understanding of the components that collectively enable humans to read. The aim of this article is to create an overview of some of these findings that could inform the selection of typefaces. We discuss aspects of letter crowding, serifs, inter-letter spacing and letter weight and width, reviewing the literature on reading and perception and contextualising it in relation to reading scenarios involving paragraph reading, small visual angles and glance reading. Although several perceptual aspects can relate to multiple reading scenarios, we conclude that there is no such thing as the most legible typeface, as typeface legibility varies depending on the reading situation.</p>","PeriodicalId":50503,"journal":{"name":"Ergonomics","volume":" ","pages":"1-13"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4000,"publicationDate":"2025-08-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Ergonomics","FirstCategoryId":"5","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00140139.2025.2541255","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"ENGINEERING, INDUSTRIAL","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
A general focus within reading research is to isolate individual cognitive and perceptual processes for investigation. By doing so, we gradually increase our understanding of the components that collectively enable humans to read. The aim of this article is to create an overview of some of these findings that could inform the selection of typefaces. We discuss aspects of letter crowding, serifs, inter-letter spacing and letter weight and width, reviewing the literature on reading and perception and contextualising it in relation to reading scenarios involving paragraph reading, small visual angles and glance reading. Although several perceptual aspects can relate to multiple reading scenarios, we conclude that there is no such thing as the most legible typeface, as typeface legibility varies depending on the reading situation.
期刊介绍：
Ergonomics, also known as human factors, is the scientific discipline that seeks to understand and improve human interactions with products, equipment, environments and systems. Drawing upon human biology, psychology, engineering and design, Ergonomics aims to develop and apply knowledge and techniques to optimise system performance, whilst protecting the health, safety and well-being of individuals involved. The attention of ergonomics extends across work, leisure and other aspects of our daily lives.
The journal Ergonomics is an international refereed publication, with a 60 year tradition of disseminating high quality research. Original submissions, both theoretical and applied, are invited from across the subject, including physical, cognitive, organisational and environmental ergonomics. Papers reporting the findings of research from cognate disciplines are also welcome, where these contribute to understanding equipment, tasks, jobs, systems and environments and the corresponding needs, abilities and limitations of people.
All published research articles in this journal have undergone rigorous peer review, based on initial editor screening and anonymous refereeing by independent expert referees.
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