In the last post, Rob talked about how a “big time fancy design firm” came up with a “blue text on a black background” layout, which can only be difficult to read because of the low contrast between black and blue.
It’s generally agreed that the higher the contrast and resolution, the easier text is to read, with black text on a white background at high dpi (dots per inch) being the easiest. In fact, newspapers and books can achieve higher contrast ratios than a computer monitor, so they seem easier to read. Text displayed at 150 dpi is twice as sharp as a typical video monitor, but HALF the resolution a basic laser printer achieves.
Sacrificing Readability?
In this post I want to question when it’s appropriate to sacrifice a little readability in order to make an impact. For example, magazines often stray from “black on white” and splash colours across their pages, which necessitates changing font colour too. The magazine’s funky colours and layouts make an impact, in much the same way as they would at a website. So when should a website stray from “black on white”, and how far should they push the envelope before visitors rebel against their colour scheme?
At my 3DTV Reviewer blog, I use a non-traditional colour scheme of black text on a bluish background. I wanted the visitor to see a more unusual colour scheme, but still be able to read the text. I think getting the balance right between an interesting and visually appealing website and readability is difficult. No-one wants to see a 100% identikit Internet where every webpage is black text on a white background, but it’s still necessary to maintain readability.
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Honestly I think black on white looks kind of generic and it doesn’t grab me at all, the 3DTV Reviewer Blog has more impact (for me) and it is still very readable.
Yeah, the higher the contrast and resolution, the easier text is to read.
True, it is more readable if the contrast is a bit higher.
>>Yeah, the higher the contrast and resolution, the easier text is to read.<<
I think you missed the point of the post.
Guy.
I think straying from white/black is fine as long as you recognize the contrast issues of monitors compared to ink and don’t go too far with jazzy designs… they seem to fail online more often than not.
John
http://www.circlepaving.co.uk/
For the long articles, I’m still on the black on white, it won’t strains my readers eyes. But, there are some design which black on blue background really work. I think 3DTV Reviewer Blog does it very nice and very effective.
Black on a light grey is good, but I agree with you, that black on white is best (especially for extended reading).
Thanks! (it’s actually my blog)
Guy.
You’ve done a great job. The design seems very cool to the eyes for your readers.. neat and clean… I bookmarked your blog..
This blog has so much excellent information in it that i could spend all week reading it.
Text with colour will be useful to read, I agree.
I agree i think I 3DTV Reviewer Blog looks very nice and the way it’s done is very effective.
In part, I think it depends on the niche your blog/website is in. Some niches, it makes sense to have something that is not the same as every other blog and it fits well with the overall them and feel of the website, but some niches really make it so you want the way its always been, you know what I mean?
Till then,
Jean
@used tires,I am glad to write this nice comment here.
Thanks
The higher the contrast and resolution, the easier text is to read.
There have been studies shown regarding the color of the paper has had different effects, I would need to look it up again but i wonder if that transfers to the online area. The study said people retained the most amount of information when reading text on a piece of light yellow paper. I am going to have to look that up now.
@Web Design Melbourne,I am agree with this nice commenting.
I think straying from white/black is fine as long as you recognize the contrast issues of monitors compared to ink and don’t go too far with jazzy designs
Thanks
I think the key is not to over-do it. I usually add a little color here and there. But I’d never do the ‘blue over black thing’ that’s for sure
!
For long articles, I prefer black on white, it won’t strains my readers eyes. But, there are some design which black on blue background really work. I think Exfiber does it very nice and very effective.
i prefer black on white instead of black on blue. black on blue does not have good readability.
Black on blue is okay for me for a few minutes for me, but after a while (i.e. extended reading) black on white is definitely easiest. I tend to have my monitor’s brightness turned down, too, so it’s almost black-on-grey.
Honestly I think black on white looks kind of generic and it doesn’t grab me at all, the 3DTV Reviewer Blog has more impact (for me) and it is still very readable.
In part, I think it depends on the niche your blog/website is in. Some niches, it makes sense to have something that is not the same as every other blog and it fits well with the overall them and feel of the website, but some niches really make it so you want the way its always been, you know what I mean?
@Fiber Optic Closure, isn’t that what I said?
-Jean
Just agree with what you said
I guess I should take it as a compliment then…
-Jean
I think that based on the niche your blog/website is in. Some niches, it makes sense to have something that is not the same as every other blog and it fits well with the overall them and feel of the website, but, some niches really make it so you want the way its always been, do you understand what I said?
This is very true, its hard to read some texts on some back grounds but it offers a unique design. Finding the right balance is very hard but once you do it makes for a great design.
In addition to Wall Street, it looks like the faith business also needs a little more scrutiny. Apart from that, I am always surprised at how gullible people can be when it comes to being sold out divine rhetoric…
There have been studies shown regarding the color of the paper has had different effects, I would need to look it up again but i wonder if that transfers to the online area. The study said people retained the most amount of information when reading text on a piece of light yellow paper. I am going to have to look that up now.
+1
It is a constant struggle I think between design and readability, obviously the two aren’t mutually exclusive. Readers need to be able to see the text but gosh it is nice when you open up a website that offers something visually creative and colourful. I guess it is the best web designers who can find a balance between the two.
Too bad that wasn’t your original thought. It has been proven that yellow paper is easier to read than white and puts less strain on the eyes.