Impact of Typeface and Colour Combinations on LCD Display Legibility

Gregor Franken,Klementina Možina,Maruša Pangerc

doi:10.28991/esj-2020-01243

Abstract

The evolution of high resolution displays, especially liquid crystal displays (LCD), which are among the most commonly used ones, has contributed to a larger number of display readers. Regardless of high resolutions, problems in the legibility of typefaces still occur. Many typefaces may well be readable in print, but cause more difficulties when being read on displays. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of colour contrast on the legibility on LCDs to establish which type style is appropriate for a coloured text to be legible. Two different typefaces specially designed for display use were tested in a satisfactory light-dark contrast of five different colour combinations. The reading speed and fixations were analysed with an eye-tracking device Tobii 120X. Different texts were displayed on an LCD display. The results showed that the selection of a particular colour combination and contrast greatly affects the reading speed and legibility. Less visible colour combinations of text and background were read more slowly than the more contrasting or visible ones in both typefaces. At both typefaces, it was seen that at a slower reading speed, more fixations were needed and vice-versa. A transitional typeface gave a faster reading speed than a sans-serif typeface. An appropriate contrast, colour combination and used typography can facilitate legibility on displays. Doi: 10.28991/esj-2020-01243 Full Text: PDF

Highlights

A constant rise in technology and the expansion of the Internet are two main factors which have contributed to the decline of the use of printed media and caused a continuously growing number of display readers
The aim of this study was to examine the influence of the colour combination on the legibility on liquid crystal displays (LCD) displays to establish which type style is suitable for a coloured text, making it legible
The texts set in the transitional typeface Georgia were read the fastest, regardless of the used colour combinations

Summary

Introduction

A constant rise in technology and the expansion of the Internet are two main factors which have contributed to the decline of the use of printed media and caused a continuously growing number of display readers. This has brought the evolution of high resolution displays, especially liquid crystal displays (LCD), which are among the most commonly used ones. Regardless of high resolutions, problems in the legibility of typefaces still occur. Many typefaces may well be readable in print, but cause more difficulties when being read on displays. Legibility is influenced by the reader’s verbal capabilities [5, 6]

Objectives

Results

Conclusion