Light/Dark Contrast
As people age, the ability to discern text without adequate light-dark contrast on the page declines. Use high color contrast between text and background.
Color Perception
At about age 75, yellowing in the lens of the eye leads to changes in color perception. White paper or background will take on a yellow tint and cool colors such as blues, greens and violets become somewhat distorted. Avoid highlighting in yellow and avoid juxtaposing blue and green.
Type Style
Simple type styles are most effective. Choose fonts based on their legibility, and avoid using several types of fonts mixed together. Too much contrast in stroke thickness, can detract from legibility. Avoid type that is bizarre, complicated, decorative or cursive – and those that are very bold or exceptionally light.
Fonts
Serif typeface may help the eye move from word to word more easily on the printed page. Businesses may choose to use serif fonts simply because their customers are more accustomed to it. Some suggested font families are: Garamond, Helvetica, and Times New Roman.
Type sizes
As a general rule, bigger font is better. The size will depend somewhat on the type of font, with narrower font types requiring larger point size. As a general rule, 10- point type is acceptable, but a 12-point to 14-point type for body text is preferable. Use a 14-point to 18-point for titles. Footnotes and smaller font text shouldn’t be smaller than 8 points.
Type weights
The suggested ideal text type is regular weight or medium for body text, bold for titles. Avoid light typefaces, especially with smaller sized type.
Capital letters
Use upper and lowercase letters for titles and body text. Lowercase letters are easier to read than all capital letters, so avoid continuous text in all capital letters.
Italic type
Avoid using italic type. It tends to impede reading speed, although it can be used sparingly for emphasis. Good print design facilitates good reading. You only get your point across if consumers can read the materials. Below are some basic print design features designed to improve readability.
Line length
The eye can most comfortably read a line of 8 to 15 words (about 50-75 characters per line) or between 5 and 6 inches long for a one-column format. For a twocolumn format, an optimal column width is 2 to 3 inches wide. Provide enough of a margin between columns to clearly separate the two – a suggested space of 3/8” to ½” between columns.
Line Spacing
The amount of spacing or leading between lines of text should be at least one or two points greater than the body text size. A minimum of 25-30 percent over point type size is recommended for readability in text copy.
Justification
Left justification – where the text lines up along the left margin – is optimal. Avoid full justification, where each line comes to the same length, condensing or stretching spaces between words or single letters. This slows down reading. If the text typography is full justified, you should hyphenate to avoid very wide word spacing. Even word spacing is best.
Web Design
The 50+ market is among the fastest growing segment of web users, it’s important that web sites be designed with them in mind. While most of the basic print principles apply, businesses should also pay attention to these essential points.
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Adapted from Keys to Success with the 50+ Market
AARP, May 2004
All of the above text is a press release provided by the quoted organization. globalagingtimes.com accepts no responsibility for their accuracy.