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<TITLE>RE: InfoD-Cafe: Size matters reply</TITLE>
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<P><FONT SIZE=2>I've been assuming that this was a discussion of some specific British or European regulatory action regarding some specific variety of text and I don't understand the context so I've stayed out of it. Sweeping statements about the benefits of type size for readability tend to lead to clumsy typesetting that is often more difficult to read than the smaller type it is meant to prevent.<BR>
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ICOGRADA does a monthly poll on its newsletter/website that makes me embarrassed to be a graphic designer. It is consistently inane, misleading, or just plain stupid. It's at <A HREF="http://www.icograda.org/feature/opinion_poll.htm">http://www.icograda.org/feature/opinion_poll.htm</A><BR>
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This month's is perhaps the worst.:<BR>
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IS 12 POINT FONT LARGE ENOUGH?<BR>
This weeks opinion poll comes from Samantha S. Sannella, the President of Design Exchange.<BR>
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Pet Peve: Small Font. I am guilty of it. We are guilty of it. It's in our newsletters, on our business cards and on many of our publications. Is 12 point font large enough? Personally, I type in 18 point font nowadays and change the font size before sending. When did 9, 10 or 11 point font become acceptable? Am I getting old? Actually, I tested my eyes recently and they were perfect, however, the doctor did not test my eye fatigue - which I believe contributes to my recent dislike of miniscule letters. Of course, I have a theory - Go Big or Go Home. Calling all graphic designers: let's go big.<BR>
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What is your take? Is 12 point font large enough?<BR>
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[radio button] I agree with Samantha, 12 point font is just too small!<BR>
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[radio button] I think that font size should be relative to the medium one is working with.<BR>
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[radio button] I think that 12 point font is completely adequate.<BR>
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I suggest 72 pt Franklin Gothic Demi in black ink on smooth 87% reflectance warm white paper for the following:<BR>
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WTF?<BR>
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It seems, however, that 18 point may be adequate for the following:<BR>
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No, Samantha. I am old. You are stupid. They are not the same.<BR>
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Gunnar<BR>
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Gunnar Swanson Design Office<BR>
1901 East 6th Street<BR>
Greenville, North Carolina 27858<BR>
USA<BR>
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gunnar@gunnarswanson.com<BR>
+1 252 258 7006<BR>
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<A HREF="http://www.gunnarswanson.com">http://www.gunnarswanson.com</A><BR>
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at East Carolina University:<BR>
swansong@ecu.edu<BR>
+1 252 328 2839<BR>
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