Came across this post on Information Architects Japan, and how typography should be viewed as an interface element, no matter how limiting web fonts may be.
Key Points:
- A printed work which cannot be read becomes a product without purpose.
- Optimizing typography is optimizing readability, accessibility, usability(!), overall graphic balance.
- Information design is not about the use of good typefaces, it is about the use of good typography. Which is a huge difference. Anyone can use typefaces, some can choose good typefaces, but only few master typography.
- It is annoying how different browsers and platforms render fonts, But, well, it is part of a web designer’s job to make sure that texts are easy and nice to read on all major browsers and platforms. Correct leading, word and letter spacing, active white space, and dosed use of color help readability.
- “text as a user interface”. Have a look at Khoi Vinh’s website,