Tracking

Definition

Tracking refers to the adjustment of space between groups of letters in a word or sentence. This typographic adjustment can significantly affect the overall visual appearance and readability of text. Proper tracking can enhance legibility by ensuring that letters are neither too close together, which may cause confusion, nor too far apart, which can disrupt the flow of reading.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Tracking can be adjusted for various typographic styles, allowing designers to create emphasis or alter the mood of the text.
2. When increasing tracking, it's important to consider how it affects readability; too much space can make text harder to follow.
3. Tracking is often used in headlines or display text where aesthetics play a larger role than in body copy.
4. Negative tracking decreases the space between letters, which can create a more compact appearance but may hinder legibility if overdone.
5. Different typefaces react differently to tracking adjustments; some fonts require more or less tracking to achieve optimal readability.

Review Questions

• How does tracking impact the overall visual appeal and readability of a design?
  • Tracking affects the spacing between letters, which can either enhance or detract from the visual appeal and readability of a design. When properly adjusted, tracking can create a balanced and harmonious look that makes text easier to read. If tracking is not managed well, it can result in text that is either too cramped or too spaced out, both of which can disrupt the reader's experience and comprehension.
• Compare and contrast tracking with kerning in terms of their effects on typography.
  • Tracking and kerning both involve adjusting spacing in typography but differ in their application. Tracking adjusts spacing uniformly across a group of letters or entire lines of text, impacting overall density and readability. Kerning focuses specifically on the spacing between individual letter pairs to correct awkward gaps. While both techniques aim to improve the visual appearance of text, tracking often influences large bodies of text, while kerning addresses specific pairings for better visual harmony.
• Evaluate the importance of tracking adjustments in different types of text, such as body copy versus headlines.
  • Tracking adjustments are crucial for varying types of text due to their different roles in design. In body copy, appropriate tracking enhances readability and keeps the reader's eye moving smoothly across lines. In contrast, headlines often utilize broader tracking adjustments for dramatic effect or stylistic choices that capture attention. Understanding when and how to apply tracking adjustments helps designers create effective typographic hierarchies that guide readers through content effectively.

Related terms

Kerning: Kerning is the process of adjusting the space between individual letter pairs to improve visual appeal and readability.

Leading: Leading refers to the vertical space between lines of text, which impacts how easily text can be read.

Font Weight: Font weight determines the thickness of characters in a typeface, affecting how bold or light text appears.