Measure

Definition

In typography, measure refers to the width of a block of text, specifically the length of a line of type. It plays a crucial role in determining the readability and overall aesthetics of body text and captions, influencing how easily the reader can navigate through the text without losing their place.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. An ideal measure for body text typically ranges from 50 to 75 characters per line, striking a balance between readability and efficient use of space.
2. Too long a measure can lead to reader fatigue, as it becomes harder to track from the end of one line to the beginning of the next.
3. Conversely, too short a measure may disrupt the flow of reading, causing excessive line breaks and fragmenting the text.
4. Captions usually have shorter measures compared to body text, enhancing clarity while providing concise information without overwhelming the reader.
5. Adjusting the measure can significantly affect the overall design layout, influencing other elements like leading and font size.

Review Questions

• How does the measure of body text affect overall readability?
  • The measure directly impacts how easily a reader can follow along with the text. An optimal measure allows readers to comfortably track their place from one line to another without losing focus. If the measure is too long, it becomes challenging for readers to find their starting point on the next line, while a too-short measure leads to frequent line breaks that disrupt reading flow.
• What considerations should be made when determining the measure for captions compared to body text?
  • When determining the measure for captions, it's essential to ensure clarity and conciseness. Captions typically have shorter measures than body text, allowing them to deliver information quickly without overwhelming the reader. This shorter measure helps maintain visual harmony and ensures that captions are easily digestible, reinforcing their role as supplementary information.
• Evaluate how varying measures can influence the visual hierarchy in editorial design.
  • Varying measures can significantly alter visual hierarchy within an editorial layout. For instance, employing a wider measure for headings can create emphasis and draw attention, while narrower measures for body text enhance readability. By strategically adjusting measures across different text elements, designers can guide readers' focus, create dynamic layouts, and establish clear distinctions between primary content and supplementary information.

Related terms

Leading: The vertical space between lines of text, which impacts readability and the overall appearance of a block of text.

Kerning: The adjustment of space between individual letters in a word, which can enhance legibility and visual appeal.

Tracking:

The uniform adjustment of space between all characters in a block of text, affecting its overall density and readability.