Dani R. wrote: ↑Sat Aug 24, 2019 6:28 pm
Change of subject.
I also take the liberty to make a few remarks ... ( ) ... the readability and the recognition of function and menus.
Now to the criticism. In R 9 Hi-Res Compressed NHG Font - 2019-08-24 D A MacDonald. I am nearsighted. With small fonts, I still have an advantage over many people in being able to read them when I remove my glasses. For me, the font is too compressed. This writing really hurts me, as if my head, my eyes were clamped into a vice. Unfortunately I have to express it so drastically. It's good to have made this attempt, but you probably won't be able to print two labels side by side just on the width of a key.
Thank you ... THANK YOU ... Dani !
I couldn't agree with you more. There is no question that some type of adjustment (from series 7) was in order for the double labels at each key ... its just that the order of magnitude needed in my opinion was more on the micro adjustment scale. There is no doubt that the compression of a very suitable font such as Neue Haas Grotesk was going to be a good option ... its just that a full 50% might have been a bit of an overshoot. Take another look at the 7 series labels, and you might agree that while the size and compression of the Swiss 721 BT font wasn't
exactly right, over all it was certainly in the ball park. I was waiting for someone else to confirm my concern before I proposed another tweak (it shouldn't be left to only one person's point of view). So, I feel confident that the Neue Haas Grotesk font is an excellent choice ... it is just that the compression merely needs to be scaled back. I will kindly request that Jaymos might assist again in generating another few sets of NHG compressed fonts. A 60%, 70%, and possibly an 80% set. I can then rework the faceplate labeling over the next little while ... and them send them back for you, and everyone else interested, to review.
In general I like very much how the mock up's are prepared. Others can judge fonts and sizes better than me.
A few more suggestions. But these are really only suggestions. This is no invitation to make these attempts.
- The shadows brighter instead of darker. This certainly gives a visually different effect.
- Make the frame around the g-label in blue, the same as the font. This also gives a different visual effect.
- Because of the previous point a very small distance between two menu labels.
In general, I hope that you won't have to go back to the solution with the underscores in the end.
While I appreciate your modesty, I do not agree. Your judgement was requested ... and so it is respected, and appreciated.
Thanks again ...
The challenge is one of balance. The trick is to have the labels produced in such a way as to be primarily easily legible ... and not just for those with perfect vision. The other challenge, however, is more difficult. For a number of reasons it is desirable to have the labels pertaining to menus be subtly differentiated. Whatever the method employed, the menu key labels have to operate in such a way as to work effectively ... clearly signifying their menu status ... while, at the same time, have to be visually non-intrusive ... thus adding no clutter. In effect, these labels have to be effective and work when needed ... but then magically fade into the background when they are not. The fact is, this keyboard in particular is already a fairly densely populated neighborhood ... and so it needs to be given just a little bit more attention, and be kept as clean as possible ... for
everyone's benefit.
I will check in with Jaymos to see if he could help with tweaking the NHG fonts ...