Tracking

Definition

Tracking refers to the adjustment of space between characters in a word or a line of text. This typographic tool is crucial for enhancing legibility and readability, allowing designers to create a visual harmony in text that guides the reader's eye smoothly across the page. Proper tracking can impact how a viewer perceives the text, influencing both aesthetics and functionality in design.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Tracking can be adjusted for entire blocks of text or individual words to achieve desired spacing effects.
2. Tighter tracking can create a more compact look, while looser tracking can enhance readability and create an airy feel.
3. Overly tight tracking can lead to words appearing crowded and difficult to read, whereas excessive looseness can disrupt the flow of reading.
4. Different fonts have unique default tracking settings that may require adjustments based on context and design needs.
5. Effective tracking is especially important in digital formats where screen resolutions vary, impacting how text appears.

Review Questions

• How does tracking influence the overall legibility of a text?
  • Tracking influences legibility by controlling the amount of space between characters, which affects how easily a reader can differentiate between individual letters and words. Proper tracking helps ensure that letters are not too close together or too far apart, creating a visually balanced text. When applied correctly, it aids in guiding the reader's eye smoothly along lines of text, enhancing their reading experience.
• In what ways can tracking be adjusted to improve the readability of digital content compared to print?
  • In digital content, tracking can be adjusted based on screen size and resolution to enhance readability. Since screens display text differently than printed materials, designers often loosen tracking for online text to ensure clarity and ease of reading. Additionally, varying font sizes might require different tracking adjustments to maintain consistent visual appeal across different devices.
• Evaluate the impact of tracking adjustments on typography in modern graphic design.
  • Tracking adjustments play a crucial role in modern graphic design by allowing designers to manipulate the visual flow and aesthetics of text. By evaluating how different levels of tracking affect both form and function, designers can create compelling layouts that draw attention while remaining easy to read. This flexibility enables designers to establish brand identities and communicate messages effectively through typography, showing that small changes in tracking can lead to significant differences in overall design success.

Related terms

Kerning: The process of adjusting the space between specific pairs of characters to improve visual appeal and readability.

Leading:

The vertical space between lines of text, which affects the overall density and legibility of written content.

Typography: The art and technique of arranging type to make written language legible, readable, and visually appealing.