Traditional Type in the Digital Era

The first part of this paper briefly reviews the history of typography and the ways how the traditional typefaces had been modified in order to ensure high readability and legibility. Semiotics of type, as well as the importance of positive emotional response to UI and UX, are discussed in the second part, highlighting the important patterns in the user’s comprehension and emotional responses. In the third place, the shift towards the “mobile first” approach is emphasized, and the importance of adopting the appropriate methods and techniques which would ensure the optimal representation on information on small screen handheld devices is justified; the problems caused by type scaling and reading patterns, screen resolution, pixel representation, and backlit environment are identified. Furthermore, the optimal characteristics of screen fonts are explained. Last but not least, the present and future of typography on small screens is discussed