(Shelly Cashman Series) Gary B. Shelly, H. Albert Napier, Ollie N. Rivers-Web design_ introductory concepts and techniques -Cengage Learning (2008)

Web Page Typography Issues 135
Font size also plays an important role in your selection of a font. Font size for a Web
page can be expressed as an absolute size or a relative size. Absolute font sizes, which
might not change when visitors change their browser font size settings, are measured in
inches, points, centimeters, millimeters, and picas. Absolute font sizes are used by designers
who want to maintain control over the size of page text. Relative font sizes are specified
in pixels (relative to the viewing screen) or as a percentage in relation to the font size
of surrounding text, a percentage of an em unit, where one em unit equals the font size,
or with a keyword, such as medium or large. Using relative font sizes allows visitors to
control font size by changing their browsers’ font size settings. Absolute or relative font
sizes specified in a Web page’s markup overrides the Web browser default size setting.
The bold and italic font styles are used for emphasis. For example, the bold font style
might be applied to paragraph headings or important words in paragraph text. Take care,
however, not to overuse the bold and italic font styles. Remember from Chapter 2 that
you should never use underlining for emphasis, as underlining typically indicates a link.
Additionally, avoid using all uppercase characters for words or phrases, as this can reduce
scannability.
AVAILABILITY Computer operating systems, such as Windows, Macintosh, or Linux,
provide sets of installed fonts; however, these font sets often differ across operating systems.
For example, one survey of commonly used fonts by operating system indicates
that the Arial font was available on 96 percent of the surveyed computers running the
Windows or Macintosh operating systems but available on only 64 percent of surveyed
computers running Linux. In the same survey, the Verdana Web font was available on
96 percent of surveyed computers running Windows, 93 percent running Macintosh, and
only 53 percent running Linux. Therefore, when specifying a font for your pages, choose
a more commonly available font to reduce the instances of browser font substitution.
Avoid the temptation to use fancy fonts, regardless of how cool they might look. If a specific
font effect is absolutely necessary, for example as part of a logo, consider saving the
font as an image using image editing software.
@SOURCE
@SOURCE
Font Size
For more information
about absolute and relative
font sizing, visit the
Web Design Chapter 5
Online Companion page
(scsite.com/web3e/ch5/)
and then click Font Size
in the @Source links.
Font Survey
For an interesting survey
of commonly used fonts
by operating system,
visit the Web Design
Chapter 5 Online
Companion page
(scsite.com/web3e/ch5/)
and then click Font Survey
in the @Source links.
Specify commonly used fonts for your Web pages to increase your chances of
overriding default browser font settings. Before publishing your Web pages, test
your font and font sizes in different browsers and on different operating systems.
DESIGN
TIP
MOOD Just like a Web color scheme, your font selection can help establish an emotional
connection with your visitors by contributing to a specific mood or state of mind. The
mood established for a site should always promote and not detract from the site’s message.
For example, a topical site on snowboarding or a site that offers online games for preteens
requires a font that contributes to a mood of fun, excitement, and challenge. However, the
font used at a B2B site selling technical products or services must send a very different
message — one of seriousness and professionalism. Figure 5-6 illustrates how font selection
for two Web sites — one that sells investment products and services and one that sells
design services — helps establish a different state of mind for site visitors.
@SOURCE
Fonts and Accessibility
For more information
about fonts and Web
accessibility, visit the
Web Design Chapter 5
Online Companion page
(scsite.com/web3e/ch5/)
and then click Fonts and
Accessibility in the
@Source links.