- Law 33: Choose Serif or Sans Serif Based on Aesthetics.
Let's define serif and sans serif typefaces
and look at the differences between them.
Serif typefaces have little lines, or what are called
serifs that appear at the end of each stroke.
In French, the word sans means without, and so
sans serif means without serifs and therefore,
a sans serif typeface does not have the little
serifs at the end of each stroke.
Many designers love to discuss the legibility of
serif versus sans serif typefaces and you can
find a slew of articles stating that serif
typefaces are easier to read and then you can find
an equal number of articles stating that sans serif
typefaces are easier to read.
You can find articles that recommend sans serif
typefaces for screen reading and serif
for print reading and on and on and on.
In this debate, the Serif vs Sans Serif debate,
can make for some great party conversation if you're
hanging out with a bunch of people who love design.
But, scientific research has shown that at sizes
larger than 10 points, there is no performance difference
between serif and sans serif typefaces.
So, that means if you're using a typeface larger
than 10 points, there is no scientific evidence, none,
that serif typefaces are any more or any less legible
than sans serif typefaces and vice versa.
Now, for type sizes that are smaller than 10 points,
sans serif typefaces have an advantage.
They are more legible, especially on computer monitors.
Sans serif typefaces have uniform stroke width
and simpler character shapes.
And, these attributes help sans serif typefaces
remain legible at smaller sizes.
If you are setting Reversed Text, which is light text
on a dark background, medium-weight, slightly larger
sans serif typefaces are easier to read than
some serif typefaces.
Serif typefaces can also work when reversed,
but you wanna make sure and pick a serif typeface
where the serifs are thick and uniform and shape.
Thin, delicate wispy serifs tend to
disappear when reversed out.
That dark background just swallows them up.
So, stop worrying about whether to use a serif
or sans serif typeface based on legibility.
It's much more important, much more important,
to choose typefaces based on aesthetic preference
and appropriateness for your document.
You wanna focus on the mood and personality
of your document and then choose a typeface that is
legible and reinforces these attributes.
Sans serif typefaces are usually perceived as
having a more modern contemporary feel,
while serif typefaces are usually perceived as
more conservative and a little more traditional.
Let's summarize.
There is no scientific evidence that serif typefaces
are any more or less legible than sans serif typefaces
at sizes larger than 10 points.
Choose specific typefaces that are legible,
aesthetically pleasing and that reinforce the mood
and personality of your document.
In order to maximize the legibility of text
in your document, focus on factors that do influence
text legibility and these are things like
the size of the text, the contrast between text
and background, x-height, letter spacing and stroke width.
That's Law 33: Choose Serif or
Sans Serif Based on Aesthetics.