Loading…
9
Appreciation post: My stubborn view on font sizes totally flipped
I used to cram as much text as I could on a page, thinking small fonts looked sleek and professional. Then I watched my grandma squint and zoom in on her phone just to read an article I designed. She has arthritis too, so tapping tiny links was a pain. That moment sucked, realizing my 'clean' design was locking people out. Now I start with bigger, readable fonts and ample spacing as a rule, not an afterthought. It feels obvious now, but I was so focused on aesthetics I forgot real people use this stuff. Still bugs me how long it took to see it, but at least I'm fixing my approach. Honestly, it's made my work better for everyone, not just folks with vision issues.
3 comments
Log in to join the discussion
Log In3 Comments
sam_harris687mo ago
Man, that subway map story is brutal. It's like they designed it for people with binoculars. I get annoyed by tiny labels on power tools at work, and my eyes are fine. Can't imagine trying to navigate a city like that.
10
lily_young597mo ago
The subway map in my city got redesigned last year with tiny print and light gray lines. I saw so many older folks and tourists holding it up to their faces, completely lost. It's crazy how often design choices like that make everyday things harder for people who aren't young with perfect eyesight. Your story about your grandma hits home because I've noticed even things like microwave buttons or pill bottles can be impossible to read. Once you start looking for it, you see how much we just accept bad design that leaves people out.
7
mary4757mo ago
Noticing I've started holding things far away to read them... and I'm only in my thirties. Bad design is making me feel older than I am.
4