With modern operating systems like Windows XP and Mac OS 10, users have the ability to select a display option called anti-aliased text. This is a great option in terms of design because it uses color variations to make jagged or stair stepping angles seen in aliased text look smoother. “In letterforms, aliasing is especially problematic because the stair stepping interferes with the smoothness of curvature required to define so many individual characters”. See Figure 3, where the left letter shows how anti-aliased text is displayed and the right letter shows aliased text. The effect is more flattering to larger text. This provides a more pleasing view for the user during reading. However, a disadvantage of anti-aliasing is the effect it has on smaller text. It tends to create a blurred or distorted effect to smaller text.

The designer should keep in mind that he or she cannot rely on users having anti-aliased text enabled on their machine. Often the results of typeface selections can be unattractive if this is not taken into account.

Screen Color

The difference between print page and the web lies in the method used to display colors on the medium. Print media uses the subtractive color system, which is how humans see most objects in natural light. Consider how we see green grass. Natural light, containing the full color spectrum, hits the grass and all of the colors but green are absorbed. Therefore, we see green grass. Natural light hits the printed page reflecting the colors that we see, whether it is black and white newspaper text or a glossy colored magazine ad. The primary colors used in subtractive color are cyan, magenta, and yellow. Computer screens, on the other hand, work differently. They use additive light. Rather than absorbing and reflecting light, additive color emits light. See Figure 4; on the left, where all the colors are mixed, white is produced by additive color. On the right, black is produced by subtractive color.

On the screen, black text on a white background is difficult to read for long periods of time. Any student who has written a paper at 2 a.m. in a dark or semi-dark room knows this. Web designers would be wise to choose combinations such as lighter text on a darker background.

Spacing

There are three types of spacing: leading, kerning and word spacing. Leading is the spacing between lines of text. It plays an important role in the legibility of the text. See figure 1, where the second example is much easier to read because of appropriate leading. Kerning is the spacing of letters within words. Kerning is not very effective with body text, but can have a rather pleasing effect with headings. Word spacing is just that, the spacing between words.

Generally it is more important to choose the right typeface when considering the proper word spacing instead of changing it manually. Good spacing has a direct effect on the legibility of typeface. The most important aspect of spacing to consider when designing for the web is the consistency of your choices. Inconsistency in spacing often breeds confusion among readers. Strive to keep the reader focused on the text and lead them fluently across the words.

Alignment