Universal Design

A guide to universal usability for technical writers

Typography

Baskerville fontA user's first impression of a document is critical. Typography is a powerful tool to influence this perception. Writers should choose typography carefully to increase readability and understanding.

Increasing Readability

Designing print materials universally means having material that everyone can read. Since print is a fixed medium (meaning it cannot be made larger or smaller), writers must use fonts that are visually comfortable. Here are some ways to increase readability according to Kathryn Riley and Jo Mackiewicz in Visual Composing: Document Design for Print and Digital Media:

Increasing Understanding

Writers should never create material that is understandable but obstructed by a distracting design. Above all, universally designed material should be as clear as possible for all audiences. Therefore, writers should choose a font style that moves readers towards a more thorough understanding of the text. Font styles can also set the tone of a document, and if the tone contradicts the message, it can confuse readers. Here are a couple of suggestions for how to use fonts to increase understanding: