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#lang pollen
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◊(define-meta title "what is good typography?")
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◊hanging-topic[(topic-from-metas metas)]{Reinforces the goals of the text}
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Good typography ◊em{reinforces the goals of the text}.
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Almost all texts communicate a set of points (◊em{Summary judgment should be denied for three reasons}). Sometimes a text also needs to instruct the reader (◊em{Add lines 7 through 21 and enter the total here}). Other texts offer warnings or admonitions (◊em{You must be 48 inches tall to ride}). In every case, good typography supports and reinforces the message.
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◊(omission)
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Good typography is measured on a utilitarian yardstick. Typography that is aesthetically pleasant, but that doesn’t reinforce the goals of the text, is a failure. Typography that reinforces the goals of the text, even if aesthetically unpleasant, is a success.
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Does that mean that effective typography can be ugly? Sure. Sometimes ugly is better than pretty.
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Look at the ◊link["what-is-typography.html"]{highway signs} again.
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◊indented{◊image{roadsign-standard.jpg}}
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◊indented{◊image{roadsign-script.jpg}}
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The script font used on the second sign could be called “prettier” than the standard highway-signage font. But a highway sign has a special purpose: it’s meant to be read quickly, from long distances, at odd angles, and under variable lighting and weather. The highway-signage font stays legible under all these conditions. It constitutes good typography because it supports the goals of the sign.
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The script font may be prettier, but in this context, it’s bad typography because it’s not suited to the task. Conversely, the highway-signage font would look terrible on a wedding invitation, where the script font would be appropriate.
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