Know any good legibility tests for typefaces?

[ebensorkin]

That is an interesting point.

And then there is the oblique strategies model...

Still it remains that there are things about perfume that are beyond science's ability to help with & things about perfume that only science could ever help with. There isn't any need for opposition. It needn't be hammer vs saw. Both are useful.

[Nick Shinn]

I think we're agreed on that, it's banging nails with a saw that is objectionable.
Although I have been known to saw the head off an intransigent screw.

[John Hudson]

We could look at how often they confuse character, as was done in a test looking at the relative legibility of Constantia, Cambria, and TNR.

And if you are showing glyphs in isolation, as in that test, don't disadvantage Constantia by using a lining zero for the other two fonts in the test and and oldstyle zero for Constantia!

[Scalfin]

That's who you read the results, not just the conclusion.

[dberlowgone]

"..science can help improve our knowledge of anything."
I totally agree with this. It gets tricky though, when people read it, or the results, as,
"'..science can prove our knowledge of anything.'"

John: "...don’t disadvantage Constantia..."
You can now join People for the Ethical Study of Type Studies.
I have seen to it, that the normal member fees were waived, in a vote of 1 to o.

Cheers!

[russellm]

Knowledge is not the same thing as understanding.

-=®=-

[ebensorkin]

Understanding is not the same as Experience. Experience is not the same thing as insight. Peas are not the same thing as carrots. Yes yes. I have a dictionary too. English is great isn't it? All these words that don't mean precisely the same thing...

[Nick Shinn]

and oldstyle zero for Constantia!

 

Left: Times "o", right: Times oldstyle zero.

Oldstyle vs. Oldstyle, Times may still have "disadvantaged" Constantia, as its oldstyle zero is both taller than x-height, and is monolinear rather than stressed.

The issue raised: is it better to have disambiguation to take care of extremely *rare* problems, or live with some ambiguity, for a better *normal* experience (the decision John made with Constantia's oldstyle zero). And how do the designers of reading tests decide on what's normal?

(Please don't call me "softly" in unaccented Greek capitals:-)

[TypographyShop]

The New York Times magazine did a wonderful piece on the design of Clearview, a typeface designed for maximum nighttime and inclement weather visibility for highway signs. It's not quite the same dynamic as print legibility issues, but a fascinating read nonetheless:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/12/magazine/12fonts-t.html?_r=1&ref=magaz...