Anne van Kesteren

Fonts

There are some things I would like write and discuss about, but I still need to think how to start. I hope to write something about it later this weekend. Some links:

Font-sizing and font re-sizing: different fonts compared
I think Michael of Historiae did a great job at comparing different fonts and font-sizes. All the external resources mentioned in the article are worth a read as well.
Limpid
We are only sure we leave the layout intact. The logo text color is about to change. The content needs some improvement (and updates), but overall we are quite happy. Not that the site represents a good design, we simply don't have time for that, but 'all' the information is there and it is accessible. Besides, we managed to make it completely elastic, except for the borders. I think I am going to give that a try some time. Comments on the markup are appreciated.

Comments

  1. I very much like the logo design. Why did you use a different design for your favicon? The homepage seems rather empty, perhaps even lonely.

    I am disappointed to see such a narrow width. I realize that resizing will widen the page accordingly, but why start with it so narrow? I've seen this trend on ALA and Zeldman's own site, and I don't like it. The entire page uses only a third of my available width.

    The base font size is just right - I have no need to do text resizing.

    The markup is nice and clean, as expected. Why not use the copyright symbol © instead of (c)?

    Posted by Simon Jessey at

  2. Fonts
    That font-article is great, thanks for the link Anne.
    Limpid
    Website
    I really like the look and feel of the site, and the logo is great too. The narrow width suits the minimalistic style, and the sparse copy. Actually, after a second look, I'd say it even works for longer pieces of text. I think it's because the width is very near ideal. It feels like a newspaper column actually, and that' good.
    Favicon

    I think it's an excellent example of adapting a graphic to the rather restrictive favicon format, which is a mere 16x16 px. I've seen too many sites just resizing their regular logo, or, even worse, a large, detailed photo.

    Now, the Limpid logo has a very simple (and very elegant) geometrical shape, so it might work as a favicon too, but I'd still consider leaving it a square. The colors are distinctive enough to separate the favicon from other sites, i.e. tabs, and to associate it with Limpid.

    Elasticity
    I'm not generally a big fan of elastic designs because they soon extend beyond the viewport on smaller screens (I'm on a 12.1"). However, I think it works great on Limpid thanks to the narrow starting width. So there's an actual benefit of that. I don't think the borders need to scale though.
    Markup

    Looks excellent, as expected. My only doubts are with the benefits and appropriateness of using xml:lang to mark up foreign (in your case English) words. I would only use it for foreign words that need to be pronounced in their native tongue, or in any language different than that of the document. This is not the case with Limpid, since it will/should be pronounced in Dutch when read on a Dutch language site. A valid example of using xml:lang would be for the emphasized words in the sentence:

    Karate consists of the two Japanese words kara and te, meaning empty and hand respectively.

    Plus Limpid sounds more or less the same in English and Dutch anyway, right? And just imagine how many bytes you'll be able to shave off :)

    Background
    No, not that background ;) I'm referring to the fact that I didn't know you had a business. I do recall seeing the name mentioned here previously, but just once or twice, I think. I never got it. You should post the full Limpid story here, or at least translate the text on your site. We have the right to know, you know... :)

    Exiting definition list mode...

    Posted by Lars at

  3. Nothing to add that the previous two didn't cover already with respect to markup.

    If I may though..

    1. I second the favicon comment - switching icons is not such a good idea from a branding standpoint, and lets face it, that logo is cool.
    2. As an idea to perhaps make the page feel less lonely while at the same time keeping the minimalist feel, perhaps a subtle background pattern?

    Posted by Mike at

  4. It's a bit tricky with the favicon. But perhaps Arthur can make a 32*32 PNG, which displays the logo instead of what we have now. Only browser support may be an issue than.

    I like the idea about the background pattern, we certainly need something like that and it doesn't cost that much time :-). The design we have now, is almost entirely created by me (no graphics), since Arthur was rather busy and I had some free time.

    We only have the domain for e-mail use right now, since getting costumers isn't really a problem.

    For Lars and other people who like to know something about the background: today it's official....

    Posted by Anne at

  5. Apart from the lack of white space between the paragraphs it reads fairly well.

    Posted by Robert Wellock at