How Typefaces Affect Learning
The effects of challenging typefaces on memory
In the book Blindsight, I came across an interesting section discussing how typefaces affect learning. It mentioned that when reading something, if the typeface is more challenging, it might stay in memory for a longer period of time.
After some googling, I found the following information. Translated and lightly edited:
“You might laugh at Comic Sans, Gothic, and other irregular typefaces, but it turns out they can help you etch the next list you need to memorize into your mind.
At least, that’s what a study on remembering different styles of text suggests.
In two separate studies—one with 28 university students and another with over 200 primary schoolers—researchers found that harder-to-read typefaces actually improved recall.
Using typefaces like Haettenschweiler, Monotype Corsiva, and Comic Sans Italicized, and providing made-up stories and facts about things like aliens, they observed that the test groups remembered more details and information about the subjects.
The results are small-scale, and experts add that the application is something to consider and that more research is needed.
On a personal level, consider whether a more playful typeface might force you to slow down, pay more attention to every word, and expand your brain’s biological RAM.
https://lifehacker.com/hard-to-read-fonts-can-make-text-easier-to-remember-5672301
The effects of challenging typefaces on memory