It's not just for the focally-challenged anymore...
If you haven't yet noticed, trends regarding type size on the web have been reversing in the last few years. We used to think bigger type looks juvenile + that smaller displayed better—for example, setting body copy to Arial 11px, or even using tiny bitmap/pixel fonts in Flash-based sites—especially because our browsers didn't allow for much back in the day of tiny 640 x 480 screen resolutions. Not to mention, using smaller text to be able to establish hierarchy between headings, sub-headings, body copy, + disclaimer notes on top of keeping important content "above the fold". Project after project we've tried to push smaller, "cleaner", pleasing-to-the-grid type to our clients + yet have always been requested to go bigger for legibility's sake.
"Can we see it bigger than Verdana 11px?"
If designed properly, using 14-16px type for main content doesn't seem to look so "clown-sized" these days. The NYTimes.com has been using this on their articles for awhile now. It's a trend that seems to be more the norm to help improve online readability, to cause less strain to the eye, + to help some of us avoid from having to use the key command shortcut 'COMMAND/CTRL +' times three to zoom into our browser content. It helps that the commonly used screen resolution is leaning more towards at least 950px of usable width to accommodate a type size closer to our browser's default type size, which is set to 16px.
Check out the case study by Oliver Reichenstein mentioned within the blog article link below. The visual comparison really puts it into better perspective. Also, read the comments following the article for other points of view. Something worth thinking about when considering layout options for a new website project.
Really, the moral of the story is: Use big type for good, not evil.
Relative Readability Why go so big on type? There's a short answer and a long answer...
"The rules are that for 8 days you have to post something that made you happy that day."
—quote of someone quoted by my sis
Day 5 // So, since I've started my 8 Days around this time of year, I can't help but have Christmas-related topics for this blog series. For today, I found happiness by turning the mail-key + opening our mailbox door to find an influx of Christmas cards staring right back at us. It is so nice to receive hellos from around the world.
"The rules are that for 8 days you have to post something that made you happy that day."
—quote of someone quoted by my sis
Day 3 // Christmas Eve marks the third day of happiness. Me + the mister did not go home [aka Flo-rida] this Christmas, so we tried our best to replicate our parents' dishes that we would otherwise enjoy at home. Two savoury treats that we cooked that day was breaded mushrooms [his rents] + fried plantains [my rents]. Yes, food makes us happy, but it was also a kind nod to our awesome parents for providing yummy food for us all these years.
Me + the mister are staying put during this year's Christmas holiday. Sure, I may get homesick missing my family + friends, but I am more than pleased + excited to have much needed rest + relaxation time with J. :)))
"The rules are that for 8 days you have to post something that made you happy that day."
—quote of someone quoted by my sis
Day 2 // Today was a quiet day at the studio with only a skeleton staff roaming the halls. The work day was a bit on the uneventful side as well. Happiness today comes from listening to my iTunes playlist with Vince Guaraldi Trio's "A Charlie Brown Christmas" album playing to me while I work.
"The rules are that for 8 days you have to post something that made you happy that day."
—quote of someone quoted by my sis
Day 1 // After months + months of persistent + shamelessly blatant hinting [can I call it 'hinting' even though I cut right to the chase?], the mister just called asking me what version of GuitarHero is compatible with a Mac/PC.
*le sigh*
Important geeky backstory... This is going to sound so superficial, but I am focusing on the mere gesture rather than the outcome. Now, J was very impervious to my numerous sales pitches as to why I want to buy the popular video game for us [he has his counter-reasons, haha]. Since we have been keeping diligent on saving for our first place, we always try to be very good about how + what we spend our money on. But, every now + then I like to splurge on the fun things + somehow I just could not convince him on this one. So, just hearing him tell me that he was at Best Buy tonight asking the sales reps where to find GH World Tour just melts my corazón. Yeh, the version I wanted is "Legends of Rock III" due to the WT computer version not being available yet. "So much for it being a surprise," he said. But, a surprise it was... Even if he didn't end up buying the game.
DO NOT USE Sentry XFC Pro flea + tick medicine for your pups!
According to my boss, it most likely will cause a really bad chemical burn on your little friend if applied to their skin. :(((
She is filing complaints against Sargeant + is passing the word around not to use their product. Just helping her out to spare all the pups in the world.
For all you iPhone [or Android, or iPod Touch] owners out there who haven't been able to view Flickr videos on their advanced mobile browsers, well, now you can.
Last week, Flickr released several upgrades to their mobile site m.flickr.com, + most notable of updates is being able to watch Flickr videos on your mobile phone. There is a catch though... They stated on their December 4, 2008 blog that this feature would only apply to videos uploaded from that day forward.
One thing I'm confused about... Flickr videos are generated using Flash software, which feature is apparently not supported on the iPhone as far as I know. [Please, correct me if I am wrong]. According to this Wired article, Apple will not allow Adobe Flash software to run on the iPhone simply because Apple's Terms of Service agreement prohibits it. The clause that states it in the agreement is as such:
An Application may not itself install or launch other executable code by any means, including without limitation through the use of a plug-in architecture, calling other frameworks, other APIs or otherwise,
No interpreted code may be downloaded and used in an Application except for code that is interpreted and run by Apple's Published APIs and built-in interpreter(s).
Now with that said, how is it that Flickr is able to have their users view their Flash-enabled videos on their iPhones? If you are reading this + have an iPhone, please try to view this random guy's flickr video + see if it plays on your iPhone. Since he uploaded his video on December 7, 2008 the new mobile site upgrade should apply.
This is my journal. I am a full-time interactive designer + freelance photographer with immense love + respect for art, travel, food, technology, + music. Back in 2000, when I first began writing my musings online the content was solely based on my life experiences. Over the years I've meandered from writing on the introspective side + found myself expressing various thoughts, ideas, + interests through photography-inspired posts with little to no narrative. Though, when I tend to think aloud I share them on Twitter. The entry style may have changed, but this site still serves as my chronological journal of random occurrences, introspective or not.
I love{ sketching, design, photography, good typography, XHTML, CSS, constant education, staying current, being with the mister, family, preserving social ties, respect, islands, all things music, plucking guitar strings, sushi, henna mehndi art, photo booths, house hunting, Zumba dance, Body Pump, video games, road trips, rice, spicy food, nature wandering }
According to my boss, it most likely will cause a really bad chemical burn on your little friend if applied to their skin. :(((
For all you iPhone [or Android, or iPod Touch] owners out there who haven't been able to view Flickr videos on their advanced mobile browsers, well, now you can.
Feeed me, Seymour. 
