Which of these is the easiest to read/navigate?

[ktbubster]

Hello.

I'm trying to see if my opinion and research i've done is going to hold up with regards to font size and spacing etc in a link of links for a side bar.

Please let me know which of these you think is the most readable under first impression.

Say you get to a website, this is the left side bar with links. As you scroll over they would turn blue or underline so you can know where you are about to click as perusual.

Which is the most readable initially?

 

[citizenzen]

The tyranny of the majority strikes again!

 

[ktbubster]

indeed it does, and will!

 

[Elixer]

I like the blue so I voted for the bottom right.

 

[ktbubster]

you like the blue in general or for readability of this list?

 

[Jett0516]

top right is the most readable for me.

 

[Elixer]

you like the blue in general or for readability of this list?

Color aside I liked the type size and spacing. I voted for the blue because it looks more appealing in my opinion. Since the top left is basically the same, either one is a good choice, it really comes down to what the rest of the site looks like.

 

[ktbubster]

ah, ok, good to know! reasons would be great people

 

[ktbubster]

if people who vote could give me the reasoning behind their vote that would be splendid and help me quite a bit

 

[Kwill]

From a "graphic designer's" aesthetic perspective, the versions with tight leading and lighter colors may be appealing. However, if legibility is your primary concern, the first option (black text, generous leading) is the best. If offers maximum contrast on the text (what matters most) and the generous space between each item makes distinct selections easier.

(Having said all this, I must admit that sidebars on my website seem to violate such Sage advise.)

P.S. When the side bar list is secondary to the main body of content, the list may benefit from less contrast (lighter color) so initial focus is elsewhere on the page. When I first saw your query, I assumed you were building some sort of online-survey form. Hence, without seeing the list in its entire context, there are situations where the bottom right is more appropriate.

 

[citizenzen]

if people who vote could give me the reasoning behind their vote that would be splendid and help me quite a bit

Duuuude! You provided the reasoning in your OP!

"Please let me know which of these you think is the most readable under first impression."​

So yes... I voted for the top left because upon my "first impression" that choice was the "most readable".

I hope that clears things up.

 

[Creative One]

Sorry, but all those lists remind me of those stupid sites google sometimes take you too that are advertising sites that are basically a domain holder.


Hard to explain.

 

[substeel]

top left bottom right

top L bottom R - line spacing, font spacing, kerning, the color does not matter. They just look neater and less cramped.

 

[creator2456]

top L bottom R - line spacing, font spacing, kerning, the color does not matter. They just look neater and less cramped.

Ditto. Something about not having a double line item makes the whole feel tighter even if it is spaced more.

 

[ktbubster]

Thanks for all the feedback so far, and yes, I guess i did provide the "reasoning" in my OP... sorry for the confusion, but I guess I meant, reasoning behind WHY it's more readable to you etc... but I'm basically just looking for feedback.

Either way, THANKS to everyone so far.

 

[citizenzen]

...I guess I meant, reasoning behind WHY it's more readable to you etc... but I'm basically just looking for feedback.

NP. I was just giving you a hard time.