Cover not available

Article published In: Information Design Journal
Vol. 24:2 (2018) ► pp.92–115

Get fulltext from our e-platform
JBE logo with link
PDF logo with download linkDownload PDF
authorization required

Effectiveness of homologous Thai letterforms presented in parafoveal vision

 | Thammasat University, Thailand
 | Kyushu University, Japan
 | Kyushu University, Japan
Published online: 18 April 2019
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/idj.00002.pun
Abstract
Design approaches to improve Thai font legibility by clarifying idealistic key features using a blur simulation method have been proposed. Specifically, the jutting out of the tail of characters and inclusion of a loop-with-serrated-line, together with sufficient character width, have been found to improve legibility. In the current study, a set of four homologous characters was presented to the parafoveal region with a short-exposure methodology to display the characters with low visual acuity. Overall, the results revealed that most of the chosen idealistic key features enhanced the legibility of characters presented in parafoveal vision. However, the detailed results revealed variation in the amount of confusion between letter pairs for each tested character. These findings suggest the need for several practical improvements by modifying the specific features of each letter. Although the results of the short-exposure and blur simulation approaches differed at times, the findings of both studies suggest possibilities for developing optimal letterforms using a combination of both methodologies.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Test material
  • 3.Methods
    • 3.1Participants
    • 3.2Apparatus and stimulus
    • 3.3Procedure
  • 4.Results and discussion
    • 4.1The characters /ฅ/ (Kho Khon)
    • 4.2The characters /ต/ (To Tao)
    • 4.3The characters /ฎ/ (Do Chada)
    • 4.4The characters /ฏ/ (To Patak)
    • 4.5The characters /ข/ (Kho Khai)
    • 4.6The characters /ฃ/ (Kho Khuat)
    • 4.7The characters /ช/ (Cho Chang)
    • 4.8The characters /ซ/ (So So)
  • 5.Conclusion
  • References
References (30)
References
Arai, T., Nakano, Y., Yamamoto, R., Hayashi, K., Takata, Y., Handa, A., & Inoue, S. (2010). Development of a “Universal Design” font with blur tolerance (2): A comparison of the readability of Ming, Gothic, and “universal design” typefaces. 3rd International Conference for Universal Design. Hamamatsu: International Association for Universal Design (IAUD).Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Beier, S. & Larson, K. (2010). Design improvements for frequently misrecognized letters. Information Design Journal, 18(2), 118–137. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Beier, S. (2012). Reading letters: Designing for legibility. Amsterdam: BIS Publishers.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Bouma, H. (1971). Visual recognition of isolated lower-case letters. Vision Research, 11(5), 459–474. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Dockeray, F. C. & Pillsbury, W. B. (1910). The span of vision in reading and the legibility of letters. Journal of Educational Psychology, 1(3), 123–131. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Hakamada, H., Ohya, M., Sakai, A., Sakurada, A., Tomomi, O., & Okajima, K. (2011). Approach to UD font (universal design font) development. NEC Technical Journal, 6(2), 51–56.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Legge, G. E. & Bigelow, C. A. (2011). Does print size matter for reading? A review of findings from vision science and typography. Journal of Vision, 11(5): 81, 1–22. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Legge, G. E., Pelli, D. G., Rubin, G. S., & Schleske, M. M. (1985). Psychophysics of reading – I. Normal vision. Vision Research, 25(2), 239–252. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Mackeben, M. (1999). Sutained focal attention and peripheral letter recognition. Spatial Vision, 12(1), 51–72. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
(2000). Enhancement of peripheral letter recognition by typographic features. Visual Impairment Research, 2(2), 95–103. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Nakano, Y., Yamamoto, R., Arai, T., Inoue, S., Hayashi, K., Takata, Y., & Handa, A. (2010). Development of a “universal design” font with blur tolerance (1): A comparison of the readability of Ming, Gothic, and “universal design” typefaces. 3rd International Conference for Universal Design. Hamamatsu: International Association for Universal Design (IAUD).Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Panasonic Corporation. (2017). Panasonic universal design book. Retrieved April 15, 2018, from [URL]
Phillips, J. R., Johnson, K. O., & Browne, H. M. (1983). A comparison of visual and two modes of tactual letter resolution. Perception & Psychophysics, 34(3), 243–249. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Punsongserm, R. (2012a). Viewpoint of using a roman-like typeface: Disappearance of singularity and legibility. Humanities Journal, 19(1), 113–145. (In Thai).Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
(2012b). Typographic errors: Common mistakes of Thai typography influenced on reading. The Fine and Applied Arts Journal, 7(1), 61–80. (In Thai).Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
(2015). Legibility and readability of roman-like Thai typeface. The Fine and Applied Arts Journal, 10(1), 99–128. (In Thai).Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Punsongserm, R., Sunaga, S., & Ihara, H. (2015). The typeface priority of Thai characters for identification: Studying based on blurring tests. 2015 Annual Conference of the 5th Branch of JSSD (71–72). Fukuoka: Kyushu University.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
(2017a). Thai typefaces (Part 1): Assumption on visibility and legibility problems. Archives of Design Research, 30(1), 5–23. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
(2017b). Thai typefaces (Part 2): Criticism based on legibility test of some isolated characters. Archives of Design Research, 30(2), 23–45. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
(2018). Effectiveness of the homologous thai letterforms on visibility under a simulated condition of low visual acuity. 11th International Conference Typography Day 2018. Mumbai: Sir J.J. Institute of Applied Art.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Rattanakasamsuk, K. (2013). Elderly vision on legibility of Thai letters presented on LED panal. ACA2013 Thanyaburi: Blooming Color for Life (70–73). Thanyaburi: Asia Color Association and Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Rayner, K., Schotter, R. E., Masson, E. J. M., Potter, C. M., & Treiman, R. (2016). So much to read, so little time: How do we read, and can speed reading help? Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 17(1), 4–34. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Sanford, E. C. (1888). The relative legibility of the small letters. The American Journal of Psychology, 1(3), 402–435. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Schotter, R. E., Angele, B., & Rayner, K. (2012). Parafoveal processing in reading. Attention, Percepttion, & Psychophysics, 741, 5–35. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Teeravarunyou, S. & Laosirihongthong, T. (2003). Dynamic legibility of standard Thai fonts on traffic highway sign. 6th Asian Design International Conference. Tsukuba: Tsukuba International Congress Center.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Tinker, M. A. (1928). The relative legibility of letters, the digits, and of certain mathematical signs. Journal of General Psychology, 11, 472–496. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
(1963). Legibility of print. Iowa: Iowa State University Press.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Waleetorncheepsawat, B., Pungrassamee, P., Obama, T., & Ikeda, M. (2012). Visual acuity of Thai letters with and without cataract experiencing goggles. Journal of the Color Science Association of Japan, 361, 216–217.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Waleetorncheepsawat, B., Pungrassamee, P., Ikeda, M., & Obama, T. (2013). Proper-sized Thai letters on different background contrasts and illumination environment suitable for elderlies. ACA2013 Thanyaburi: Blooming Color for Life (74–77). Thanyaburi: Asia Color Association and Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Waller, R. (2007). Comparing typefaces for airport signs. Information Design Journal, 15(1), 1–15. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Cited by (7)

Cited by seven other publications

Punsongserm, Rachapoom & Pittaya Suvakunta
2022. Optimal Typeface and Type Size on Thai Drug Labeling and Drug Documentation: A Recommendation for Legal Development. Archives of Design Research 35:4 ► pp. 49 ff. DOI logo
Punsongserm, Rachapoom & Pittaya Suvakunta
2022. Do the Small Thai Font Sizes on Drug Labels and Documentation Facilitate Thai Readers? A Practical Review . Archives of Design Research 35:1 ► pp. 51 ff. DOI logo
Punsongserm, Rachapoom & Pittaya Suvakunta
2024. Enhancing Accessibility through Typography in Thai Government Mobile Applications: Identifying Issues and Recommending Inclusive Guidelines for Typefaces, Type Sizes, and Color Contrast. Archives of Design Research 37:2 ► pp. 25 ff. DOI logo
Punsongserm, Rachapoom & Pittaya Suvakunta
2025. Enhancing accessibility of Thai government mobile applications through effective use of typefaces, type sizes, and colour contrast: A technical review. Journal of Graphic Engineering and Design 16:1 ► pp. 17 ff. DOI logo
Punsongserm, Rachapoom
2020. Comparative Effectiveness of Homologous Thai Letterforms on Visual Word Recognition: Thai Universal Design Font versus Familiar Thai Text Fonts. Archives of Design Research 33:3 ► pp. 19 ff. DOI logo
Punsongserm, Rachapoom
2023. Effectiveness of Predominant Letterforms in Multi-Viewing Distances: Thai Universal Design Font Versus Familiar Thai Text Fonts. Archives of Design Research 36:4 ► pp. 87 ff. DOI logo
Punsongserm, Rachapoom
2025. Assessing legibility of Thai universal design typeface and Roman-like Thai typefaces across different viewing distances. grafica ► pp. 1 ff. DOI logo

This list is based on CrossRef data as of 11 december 2025. Please note that it may not be complete. Sources presented here have been supplied by the respective publishers. Any errors therein should be reported to them.

Mobile Menu Logo with link to supplementary files background Layer 1 prag Twitter_Logo_Blue