TEXT, FONT

• Text has become a part of our life. It consists of characters, punctuation symbols, etc. to convey a message. We read text in newspapers, magazines, pamphlets, billboards, books, websites, etc. It is also an integral part of songs, movies, TV, radio, advertisements, video games, presentations, etc. Text in multimedia is combined with various other kinds of media such as audio, video, graphics, pictures, animation, etc.
• Text is one of the most imperative components of multimedia and an essential source of presenting information to a wide range of people. Proper use of text, keeping in mind elements such as font style, size and various design tools help the content creator to communicate the idea and message to the user.
• Text is also the most widely used and flexible means of communicating information and ideas on an electronic media.
• Text is one of the easiest of all multimedia elements to use. Most computer users are familiar with word processing and know the processes of entering and editing text and working with fonts and font sizes.
• Factors affecting legibility of text

  • Size and style
  • Background and foreground colours
  • Headings
• Font


  A collection of character or glyphs of a single size and style belonging to a particular typeface family
• Fonts are classified on the basis of spacing between characters, words, presence or absence of serifs, their shape, stretch and weight such as bold or italics. Underlining, outlining and strikeout of characters may also be added in the text.
• Font size


  Measured in points, it does not describe the height or width of its character. One point is approximately 1/72 of an inch i.e., 0.0138.
• Categories of fonts


  • Serif
  • Sans serif
  • Decorative
• Serif


  The little decoration at the end of a letter stroke
• Serif fonts


  • Times New Roman
  • Bodoni
  • Bookman
• Sans serif fonts


  • Arial
  • Avant Garde
  • Verdana
• Faces in multimedia


  • They can evoke emotions, establish trust, and create a personal connection with the audience
  • Strategic placement can draw attention, encourage emotional response, or build trust
  • Facial expressions can significantly impact the message
  • Using diverse faces fosters a sense of connection with a broader audience
• Text Overlays


  1. Ensure the text is clear, well-spaced, and doesn't obscure the image's important details

  2. Choose a font that complements the image's style and overall message
• Storytelling with Faces


  1. A series of images depicting emotions or actions can guide viewers through a narrative

  2. Accompanying text provides context and narration
• Infographics and Data Visualization

  1. Faces can be personalize data

  2. Text and strategic font choices highlight key points and trends
• Educational Videos


  • Playful font with a friendly character's face explaining complex topics in a simple tone
• Interactive Presentations


  • Charts and graphs with clear labels and fonts, alongside images of colleagues to create a sense of team spirit
• Social Media Posts


  • Celebrity using the product with a catchy headline in a bold font
• The basic element of multimedia is the text. However, the text should be kept minimum to avoid overcrowding unless the application contains a lot of reference material. Less text can be read easily and quickly unlike longer text passages which can be time consuming and tiring.
• A lot of information in a multimedia presentation is not ideally the best way to transfer information to a wide range of audience. Combining other elements such as pictures, graphics, diagrams, etc., can help reduce the amount of text written to provide information.
• From design point of view, text should fill less than half the screen.
• Ways text can be used in multimedia

  • In text messaging
  • In advertisements
  • In a website
  • In films such as titles and credits
  • As subtitles in a film or documentary that provide a translation
• Menus for Navigation


  • A user navigates through content using a menu
  • A simple menu consists of a text list of topics
• Interactive Buttons


  • A button is a clickable object that executes a command when activated
  • Users can create their own buttons from bitmaps and graphics
  • The design and labelling of the buttons should be treated as an industrial art project
• Fields for Reading


  • Reading a hard copy is easier and faster than reading from the computer screen
  • A document can be printed in portrait or landscape orientation
  • The taller-than-wide orientation used for printing documents is called portrait
  • The wider-than-tall orientation that is normal to monitors is called landscape
• HTML


  Hypertext Markup Language, the standard document format used for Web pages
• DHTML


  Dynamic Hypertext Markup Language, an advanced form of HTML that uses Cascading Style Sheets (CSS)
• Commonly used HTML tags

  • <B> for making text bold faced
  • <OL> for creating an ordered list
  • <IMG> for inserting images
• Symbols


  Concentrated text in the form of stand-alone graphic constructs used to convey meaningful messages and human emotions (emoticons)
• Icons


  Symbolic representations of objects and processes
• For a printed document, a line containing 13 to 17 words is sufficient. A line having more than 17 words should be too long to fit on a screen and would be difficult to follow. On the other hand, a very short line would not look good on screen. Therefore, for better presentation a line of around 8 to 15 words should be used.
• Alignment


  • Text can be left-aligned (most common for body text), right-aligned (for emphasis), or centered (for headings and titles). Consistent alignment creates a sense of order and professionalism.
• Justification


  • Text can be left-justified (ragged right edge), right-justified (ragged left edge), or fully justified (straight edges on both sides). Left-justification is generally considered the easiest to read for longer passages, while other justifications can be used for specific effects or layouts.
• Line Length and Leading

  • Line length refers to the number of characters per line. Leading refers to the vertical space between lines of text. Finding the right balance is crucial. Lines that are too long or too short become difficult to read. Sufficient leading prevents lines from appearing cramped and improves readability.
• Hierarchy and Emphasis


  • Use different font sizes, weights (bold, italic), and colors to create a hierarchy of information. Headings should be larger and bolder than body text. Important points can be emphasized with bolding or italics. However, avoid using too many variations as it can create visual clutter.
• White Space


  • Strategic use of white space improves readability, separates content blocks, and guides the viewer's eye through the layout.
• Text Wrapping Around Images

  • Ensure the text flows smoothly around the image without blocking important information. Text wrapping options can be adjusted in most design software.
• Responsiveness


  • Consider how the layout will adapt to different screen sizes. Responsive design ensures the text remains readable and the layout is optimized for desktops, tablets, and mobile devices.
• Tools and Techniques for Text Layout

  • Text Boxes
  • Paragraph Styles
  • Rulers and Guides
  • Grid Systems