I was reading a book last night when it occurred to me that I didn’t know what font was used. Probably something basic like Times or Garamond. But I didn’t *know*.
It also occurred to me that I was glad I didn’t know, because if I did it might drive me to distraction. I might be thinking of the font, not the words I was reading.
Anyone else find some truth in that?
-Lindsay
Nope. Always think of the font. But the font only gets in the way when there’s a problem - font is too small, hard to read, ugly, no ligatures, bad H&Js.
i always notice the font, too. but it really annoys everyone around me.
I might be thinking of the font, not the words I was reading.
patty’s right — although we may always think of the type (because, jeez, it’s what we do), the only time it’s a problem or interuptive is when the type has been used inappropriately or poorly. i would guess a horticulturist would look at a landscape, mentally noting the plants but appreciating the garden. but if something’s wrong, it might stick out leaving him distracted and wondering. “why are the ferns next to the cacti?”
(I should clarify that I’m a designer that admires type, so my experience may be far different from people who work in type for a living. Maybe I’m in some kind of infant stage of typophilia, where every new thing grabs my attention.)
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