Color, Contrast, Size, and Style

Hints for Designing Patient Education

Brochures for Older Adults

Arditi, A. (2002). Making text legible: designing for people with partial sight. New York: Lighthouse International.

Type Color• Most readable is

black type on white background.

• If you use different colors, use bold colors for larger or highlighted text, such as headlines and titles.

Effective

Not as effective

Arditi, A. (2002). Making text legible: designing for people with partial sight. New York: Lighthouse International.

Contrast• Use highest

possible contrast.• Some evidence

states that you can use white or yellow text on black background.

• Dark on light background is often preferable.

Effective

Not as effective

Arditi, A. (2002). Making text legible: designing for people with partial sight. New York: Lighthouse International.

Font Size• Font should be at

least 14 points for older adults.

• Font should be at least 16 to 18 points for people with partial sight.

• Readability will vary with font size and font style.

This font size is effective.

This font size is not as effective.

This font size is effective.

This font size is not as effective.

Font Style• Serif fonts may be

difficult to read, especially at small font sizes. Can you read this?

• Sans serif fonts are often easier to read. Can you read

this?

This is a serif font.See the squiggles

on many of the letters.

This is a sans serif font.

It does not have squiggles on the

letters.

Color, Contrast, Size, and Style was prepared by Catherine Van Son, Ph.D., R.N., and Linda Felver, Ph.D., R.N. for the Older Adult Focus Project, OHSU School of Nursing.

Color, Contrast, Size, and Style was prepared by Catherine Van Son, Ph.D., R.N., and Linda Felver, Ph.D., R.N. for the Older Adult Focus Project, OHSU School of Nursing.

Color, Contrast, Size, and Style was prepared by Catherine Van Son, Ph.D., R.N., and Linda Felver, Ph.D., R.N. for the Older Adult Focus Project, OHSU School of Nursing.