One of the most important specifications of writing or typing that should be taken into consideration is legibility.

In the Anglo-Saxon world there is a distinction between the term’s "legibility" and "readability" whose meanings, in Italian, often erroneously refer to the same word: legibility precisely. 

In fact, there is a readability based essentially on two levels:

  • The first level (legibility) refers to the reader's ability to correctly distinguish letters, words and sentences within a text. It is an aspect linked to the visual process, the ability of the human eye to read a text without particular difficulties.
  • The second level (readability) is related to the brain's ability to correctly interpret the message that letters, words and sentences of your text intend to convey. This level concerns the cognitive area and in general the "significant capacity" of the signs that are read, the main object of study of Semiotics.

It is extremely difficult to keep the reader attentive and interested. Time is limited. For this reason, the information is faster, let's think of the news in the newspaper which are reduced to a few lines keeping the fonts such as type foundry in mind.

The important thing above all is that basic information of visual attraction and written in a monotonous way has no chance of being read.

If the need is to write a lot, then the text shouldn't be written in a boring way.

This can be done for example by keeping paragraphs short, using subtitles, balancing space, using parentheses and using different styles where possible.

Research summarizes the relationship between handwriting and readability as follows:

  • The reader prefers Roman fonts to Gothic ones
  • Roman fonts have better legibility because the letters are connected to each other (they have serifs)
  • Wide scripts need ample spacing
  • If the colour of the letters is not totally black, the eyes don't get tired
  • Wide columns and all-caps letters make reading difficult
  • Using paragraphs frequently makes reading easier

Conclusions

The fundamental function of writing is to transfer thoughts and knowledge. During this communication, typography is the necessary element which makes the writing legible and elegant. Even in handwritten books hundreds of years ago legibility was the key word.

No matter how aesthetically perfect writing, if it can't be read, it can't do its basic job of "transferring knowledge to its readers."

The way we present emotions, thoughts and knowledge is as important as what we say, what we communicate.

Typography has its own language and concepts. It is the fundamental component of Design and even an element in itself. Custom font design can itself express a message.

Choosing and using a font supports communication, so the choice of font must coincide with the message. If the message screams, the font has to help it. If the message is protesting, then the font must be protesting as well. An emotional message must be supported by an aesthetically beautiful and fragile font.

Typography exists to honour and value content.