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Thread: Consistency in heading font size
Number of posts in this thread: 4 (In chronological order)
From: Liko, Todd
Date: Thu, Mar 06 2014 6:41AM
Subject: Consistency in heading font size
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Hello all.
I have searched but have not found anything specific on this subject.
I have a client who has created a PDF form. The form contains the proper hierarchy for the heading structure, but they have changed the font size for some of the headings due to space constrictions in the form. This creates inconsistency in the visual presentation of the heading structure. For example, in one instance the <H2> will be font size 16 and in another instance, it will be font size 12. This also results in instances of the <H2> being smaller than the <H3>.
Although programmatically, the heading hierarchy is correct, I believe this pages fails because visually, the heading hierarchy is incorrect and misleading.
I am correct in this assessment?
_______
Todd Liko
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From: Karlen Communications
Date: Thu, Mar 06 2014 7:12AM
Subject: Re: Consistency in heading font size
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You can have different looks and feel for the same heading level. It is up
to the document author. I always recommend that you create multiple headings
of the same level but different fonts/size using a style based on the
original heading but called something like Heading 1A, Heading 1B and so
forth.
I do not think that there is any restriction on the visual representation of
headings in any document as to size and proportion to the base font.
While visually confusing for those with learning, cognitive or visual
disabilities, as long as the Tags Tree reflects the correct hierarchy, and
the Bookmarks reflect this as well, there is not much you can do with what
you get.
Cheers, Karen
From: Chagnon | PubCom
Date: Thu, Mar 06 2014 8:04AM
Subject: Re: Consistency in heading font size
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Yes, the visual appearance of headings should correlate to the hierarchy of
tags <H1> <H2> etc., but there aren't any laws, standards or guidance about
this, just common sense.
In graphic design, designers will often adjust the size, weight, and white
space around headings in order to get everything to fit in the area, such as
fitting a form on one page.
The final test is whether the visual appearance makes sense to the user.
But I'd be very suspect of why <H2> would be smaller than <H3>. Makes me
wonder how skilled the form designer is!
Forms design is one of the most difficult types of graphic design and few
people have the package of skills needed to do the job right; typesetting,
graphic design, knowledge of human perception and comprehension,
programming, the forms design software (such as Adobe InDesign, Acrobat, or
LiveCycle), HTML, data processing requirements and technologies, and
accessibility.
Bevi Chagnon
(A former forms designer)
PubCom.com Trainers, Consultants, Designers, and Developers.
Print, Web, Acrobat, XML, eBooks, and U.S. Federal Section 508
Accessibility.
508 Workshop: www.workshop.pubcom.com
US Federal Training: www.gpo.gov/customers/theinstitute.htm
From: Angela French
Date: Thu, Mar 06 2014 10:21AM
Subject: Re: Consistency in heading font size
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I would personally consider that a usability issue as the inconsistency can lead to confusion.
Angela French