This paper introduces an arithmetic formula for the calculation of text line length (also referred to as line width) for roman alphabet from 1) the length of the alphabet in lowercase, 2) a value for the desired character density and 3) a mathematical constant. A short-range study with this formula has shown a margin of error of less than 5% in common serifed text typefaces. The potential application of this formula in both print and digital editorial products could be diverse, from the approximate calculation of pages in a book to the establishment of control parameters in responsive web pages. Moreover, this formula would allow designers to make decisions about formal aspects on reading devices based on principles of readability and reading experience.
Author Biography
Ernesto Peña
Ernesto Peña is an editorial and information designer, design researcher and educator. His current research interests include knowledge mobilization, digital humanities, and visual literacy with interest in experimental design and typography since the beginning of his professional exercise as a designer in 2000. Ernesto has worked as an educator in Mexico and Canada, and as a professional designer in Mexico and Germany. Ernesto is currently a researcher for the Implementing New Knowledge Environments project (INKE), involved mainly in text visualization interface design, and a research associate for the Digital Literacy Centre in the Faculty of Education at the University of British Columbia.
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