Thou Shalt Not...

[Gary Compton]

This dropped into my lap from the amazing Alex Davis. Ten stories about each of the commandments which include: Mark West, Jasper Kent, Stuart Young, Jeff Gardiner, Pat Kelleher, Laura Mauro, Niki Valentine, Danuta Reah, Amanda Bigler and Jacey Bedford and Clare Littleford.

Edited by Alex.

Canny and coming soon from TBP.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

That's an intriguing idea, and an impressive line-up. Not to mentiona gorgeous cover ... but the title font is very difficult for me to read, especially since such a complicated background. I wonder if others have the same problem.

 

[Gary Compton]

I would be interested to hear as at this point I can change. The problem was the multi-coloured background.

 

[HareBrain]

I didn't immediately notice a problem, but I now think that was because I already knew what the words were from the thread title. If I try to look at it "with fresh eyes" then yes, I think it wouldn't be clear right away.

I do like the image, though.

 

[Gary Compton]

I did try to use biblical style writing, bit like your WIP, HB.

 

[HareBrain]

Have you tried it with a heavier black outline to the lettering? That would tie in to the black lines in the stained glass, and might make it easier to read. (I like the font itself, I just think it gets muddled against the background.)

 

[Gary Compton]

How does that look HB and Teresa?

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

It makes the letters clearer, but it's still hard to read. I can see the appeal of a black letter font to go with the picture, but I wonder if that is the best one for the job. There are a zillion black letter fonts available, and many of them are easier to read.

 

[willwallace]

It's definitely better with the thicker outlining, seems to pop out from the page more.
Good suggestion, Harebrain.

 

[HareBrain]

The black outline looks better, Gary. It might be worth trying with even thicker, if possible. But Teresa's idea is a good one -- try a few different black letter fonts. That S looks a bit like G, and the N a bit like R.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

I didn't notice that until you mentioned it HB, but you're right. That's the problem with some of the fancier fonts. They'll have a few capital letters that can be read two different ways, and unfortunately those letters are usually the very ones you need.

 

[Ray McCarthy]

Lhou Ghalt Rot?

Not the best Gothic related / blackletter font.

 

[Stephen Palmer]

The way to work with complex, high-contrast/multicoloured backgrounds is to reduce the contrast. Either use a faded banner, a text-box (or oval) etc. You'll never make it work with the background on maximum strength.