Setting text.
WHAT TO SET
A font stack with fallbacks A base size Line height Line length constraints
WHY FALLBACKS MATTER
If the font fails to load, text must still display acceptably.
WHAT TO CHECK
That the fallback does not shift the layout dramatically.
WHAT LINE HEIGHT SUITS BODY TEXT
More than the default, generally.
WHY
Tight lines are difficult to track.
WHAT LINE LENGTH SUITS READING
A constrained width, not the full screen.
WHY
Very long lines make finding the next line difficult.
WHAT TO SIZE TEXT IN
Relative units, so user preferences are respected.
WHAT TO AVOID
Justified text on the web, which produces uneven spacing All capitals for anything longer than a few words Very light weights at small sizes Text over images without sufficient contrast
WHAT TO DEFINE
A scale: a small set of sizes used throughout.
WHY
Arbitrary sizes produce inconsistency that reads as carelessness.
WHAT TO CONSIDER FOR LOADING
How many fonts and weights are loaded, since each is a download.
