Sinhala typeface features to optimize readability for small scale digital device screens

Abstract

The widespread use of digital devices for reading and communication has highlighted the need for optimized fonts for small-scale digital screens. This need is particularly important for languages with complex scripts like Sinhala, which require specific features to ensure readability. Unfortunately, the lack of digitally optimized Sinhala fonts is a major issue in the Sinhala typographic industry, prompting the need for research in this area. This thesis aims to identify the specific features of Sinhala typefaces that optimize readability on small-scale digital devices. The study has two objectives: first, to identify the role of general anatomical features of a script in designing a font for a particular purpose, and second, to identify the anatomical features of Sinhala typefaces that contribute to optimizing legibility on small-scale digital device screens. The thesis discusses the challenges posed by small digital screens and the importance of legibility, as well as the research gap in Sinhala fonts designed to optimize legibility on small digital screens. A visual experiment was conducted to identify the most appropriate Sinhala font for the research based on legibility, and Noto Sans Sinhala was selected. The experiment identified the anatomical features that contribute to letter misidentification, and a visual survey was conducted on the most commonly misidentified letters in the selected sample font. The purpose of this experiment was to identify the impact of legibility on Noto Sans Sinhala through changes to its anatomical features. The thesis discusses the differences between the Distinct Visual Features and the anatomical structure in Sinhala letters, how the legibility of a font is directly affected by anatomical changes to their Distinct Visual features through similar letter misidentification, and the anatomic features that need to be considered when designing a Sinhala font centered around increasing legibility for small digital screens. The practical implications of this research are significant for designers seeking to optimize legibility and reduce similar letter misidentification in Sinhala fonts on small-scale digital device screens. By manipulating the visual parameters of each anatomical feature, designers can make specific changes to the DV features of letters and improve the legibility of Sinhala fonts on digital platforms. This research contributes to the field of Sinhala typography and legibility on digital screens by providing a deeper understanding of the specific features that impact legibility and similar letter misidentification, enabling designers to create more effective and legible Sinhala fonts for digital devices, improving the user experience and enhancing the communication of messages in Sinhala.