I totally agree with you. What I have done that for me is easier than searching for a magnifier,
(which we have several around the house in strategic places,) is use my cell phone to take a picture of the item I can't read. Go to pictures and enlarge the print. I have even done this in the grocery store when trying to read labels. Also when the item I may want is on the very bottom of the grocery shelf I have taken a picture of the item and the shelf label for the item to make sure I know the price going with the correct item. The lack of thought going into the print size on an item and the contrasting or not contrasting background color just amazes me. Manufactures are really missing out on helping their buying population!!!
Many thanks to the graphic designers who weighed in on this subject! Living with web/graphic designer showed me that poor contrast is POOR DESIGN, period! And as my own eyes are aging, the low contrast is a big problem. I do wonder how there is so much poor contrast design in so many products, beyond the health products? Did everyone skip that class that day to learn about poor contrast?!? Or do instructors forget to mention that poor contrast impacts EVERYONE, regardless of age? Lesley, your post is not a rant, it’s a wake up call but I’m not sure the young care to hear it🤦🏻♀️😖🤷🏻♀️
As a graphic designer trained in typography, been driving me nuts for years. I agree with your other graphic designer's posts -- lack of technical expertise. In college, I had to set type by hand to pass one of my classes. That's where one learns about m and n space characters. Also, typography in books that create rivers and valleys -- wondering about those headaches? Yeppers, it's the type. And the colors combined with other colors especially yellow and red on black -- oh, so painful. Good points all around.
I agree with all the comments. I've stopped reading directions on over the counter supplements and medications (not prescription) because by the time you find the instructions, they're too small to read. Hopefully I am not using them with foods or other medications that will reduce their efficiency. If they would use a larger font and leave out or move all of the other "stuff", it would be much easier to know when and how many to take!
I produce a newsletter for our local quilt guild and have made every attempt to put as much contrast into the fonts and type that I use, no matter the subject, and sometimes that does make it less aesthetic, but at least we can all read it!
I share your experience and frustration with low contrast lettering. As a retired nurse and educator, I’ve long been concerned about people being able to see and understand written information and instructions.
Your thoughts prompted me to check a few related statistics. Specifically, 49-50% of the US population is age 40 or older, the approximate age when changes in near vision occur and small print becomes blurry (Population Reference Bureau). In addition, 54% of US adults (ages 16-74) have a literacy below the 6th grade level (National Literacy Institute). Even if this group can see the words, they may not be able to read and understand their meaning. This has major implications for health, safety (medications, chemical products), and quality of life. Lots to think about - thank you! 😊
I don’t think Gen Z reads like we did. They take a picture, search and have their search engine tell the (text to speech) the information. It’s vibes over information 🤷♀️
I daresay you are hitting a very sore button with many here who read your essays. This is why I have my Cliq reading glasses on all the time when I am awake. (These hang around your neck and then there is a magnet between the lenses. And I always know where my glasses are! You can buy them online BTW))
I think there are a LOT of things that younger people never consider that has to do with the changes older people experience. These thing affect what they hear and see in every day life. It's sad really, but no one tells you how it is and so you continue as you always did. One thing that really drives me nuts is how FAST younger people (and I don't mean children) talk. I would say that on a daily basis I have to tell someone, please talk more slowly, I don't know what you just said. This is especially a major drag when you need to know what they just said for important information, or a date and time they are giving you.
When you do tell someone to please speak more slowly or whatever, they do it for about 2 seconds and then are back at it.
OK, I'll stop now, but yes, everything you wrote is sadly the case and I don't see it changing any time soon, if ever.
As a retired optometrist I agree low contrast print is poor design for any age. It’s designers aiming for a fashionable style or mood instead of visibility. Low contrast print is very frustrating at any age and does tend to get worse with age
Totally and absolutely agree!!! I think is inconsiderate and a bit reckless when it comes to packaging…and in catalogs, it’s just stupid on their part. I won’t buy what I can’t read about.
This also applies to presenters using slides - just last night I made a request for the next meeting for the creator to not use a moving background and to use a larger font…
It’s bothered me for a while, so even though I will be 70 later this year, I think it’s also choice that advertisers should research - do poor contrast/tiny fonts create more sales? Among 20 somethings? Maybe if they used fewer ingredients they could fit everything in…
That is my life, as well. I know that the government is requiring all agencies and schools to be ADA compliant in specific ways.. The deadline was recently extended by a year. Why don’t they look at packaging and instructions for consumers?
It's poor design, and lack of editing that allows it to pass. I have very good vision and am often unable to read a label because of low contrast. Print size isn't usually a problem for me, but low contrast is a problem magnifiers don't solve, and bright lighting does not help much.
I totally agree with you. What I have done that for me is easier than searching for a magnifier,
(which we have several around the house in strategic places,) is use my cell phone to take a picture of the item I can't read. Go to pictures and enlarge the print. I have even done this in the grocery store when trying to read labels. Also when the item I may want is on the very bottom of the grocery shelf I have taken a picture of the item and the shelf label for the item to make sure I know the price going with the correct item. The lack of thought going into the print size on an item and the contrasting or not contrasting background color just amazes me. Manufactures are really missing out on helping their buying population!!!
Many thanks to the graphic designers who weighed in on this subject! Living with web/graphic designer showed me that poor contrast is POOR DESIGN, period! And as my own eyes are aging, the low contrast is a big problem. I do wonder how there is so much poor contrast design in so many products, beyond the health products? Did everyone skip that class that day to learn about poor contrast?!? Or do instructors forget to mention that poor contrast impacts EVERYONE, regardless of age? Lesley, your post is not a rant, it’s a wake up call but I’m not sure the young care to hear it🤦🏻♀️😖🤷🏻♀️
As a graphic designer trained in typography, been driving me nuts for years. I agree with your other graphic designer's posts -- lack of technical expertise. In college, I had to set type by hand to pass one of my classes. That's where one learns about m and n space characters. Also, typography in books that create rivers and valleys -- wondering about those headaches? Yeppers, it's the type. And the colors combined with other colors especially yellow and red on black -- oh, so painful. Good points all around.
I agree with all the comments. I've stopped reading directions on over the counter supplements and medications (not prescription) because by the time you find the instructions, they're too small to read. Hopefully I am not using them with foods or other medications that will reduce their efficiency. If they would use a larger font and leave out or move all of the other "stuff", it would be much easier to know when and how many to take!
I produce a newsletter for our local quilt guild and have made every attempt to put as much contrast into the fonts and type that I use, no matter the subject, and sometimes that does make it less aesthetic, but at least we can all read it!
I’ve stopped reading magazines as I can no longer read the type. And often it is the issue of lack of contrast.
I share your experience and frustration with low contrast lettering. As a retired nurse and educator, I’ve long been concerned about people being able to see and understand written information and instructions.
Your thoughts prompted me to check a few related statistics. Specifically, 49-50% of the US population is age 40 or older, the approximate age when changes in near vision occur and small print becomes blurry (Population Reference Bureau). In addition, 54% of US adults (ages 16-74) have a literacy below the 6th grade level (National Literacy Institute). Even if this group can see the words, they may not be able to read and understand their meaning. This has major implications for health, safety (medications, chemical products), and quality of life. Lots to think about - thank you! 😊
So true
I agree! The contrast would make a difference. The menu guide on the tv is black lettering on blue!
I don’t think Gen Z reads like we did. They take a picture, search and have their search engine tell the (text to speech) the information. It’s vibes over information 🤷♀️
I daresay you are hitting a very sore button with many here who read your essays. This is why I have my Cliq reading glasses on all the time when I am awake. (These hang around your neck and then there is a magnet between the lenses. And I always know where my glasses are! You can buy them online BTW))
I think there are a LOT of things that younger people never consider that has to do with the changes older people experience. These thing affect what they hear and see in every day life. It's sad really, but no one tells you how it is and so you continue as you always did. One thing that really drives me nuts is how FAST younger people (and I don't mean children) talk. I would say that on a daily basis I have to tell someone, please talk more slowly, I don't know what you just said. This is especially a major drag when you need to know what they just said for important information, or a date and time they are giving you.
When you do tell someone to please speak more slowly or whatever, they do it for about 2 seconds and then are back at it.
OK, I'll stop now, but yes, everything you wrote is sadly the case and I don't see it changing any time soon, if ever.
Totally agree with you— while low contrast packaging looks classy, it is worthless for reading, at any age!
As a retired optometrist I agree low contrast print is poor design for any age. It’s designers aiming for a fashionable style or mood instead of visibility. Low contrast print is very frustrating at any age and does tend to get worse with age
A pet peeve !! I keep a magnifier in the kitchen 😉
Totally and absolutely agree!!! I think is inconsiderate and a bit reckless when it comes to packaging…and in catalogs, it’s just stupid on their part. I won’t buy what I can’t read about.
This also applies to presenters using slides - just last night I made a request for the next meeting for the creator to not use a moving background and to use a larger font…
It’s bothered me for a while, so even though I will be 70 later this year, I think it’s also choice that advertisers should research - do poor contrast/tiny fonts create more sales? Among 20 somethings? Maybe if they used fewer ingredients they could fit everything in…
That is my life, as well. I know that the government is requiring all agencies and schools to be ADA compliant in specific ways.. The deadline was recently extended by a year. Why don’t they look at packaging and instructions for consumers?
It's poor design, and lack of editing that allows it to pass. I have very good vision and am often unable to read a label because of low contrast. Print size isn't usually a problem for me, but low contrast is a problem magnifiers don't solve, and bright lighting does not help much.