See how to properly use the shadow effect to improve readability
Why the shadow effect for your text?
The purpose of the shadow is to increase the contrast of characters
around their edges with the purpose of increasing readability and visual
impact from distance.
Text shadows can be used both to improve usability as well as for
content design reasons such as to create more emphasis for a certain text
or title.
In some cases, when the contrast between the font color and the
background color is not enough by itself to ensure readability, one can
add a shadow effect on the text, as to sharpen the edges, and create a
better contrast between text and background.
Text shadows should be used only to create such contrast where the
shadow color is darker than the background.
Do not use text shadows that are lighter in color than the text they
support.
Visual results generated by such solutions look invariably unprofessional.
The same holds true for text shadows that are lighter than the background
color.
A simple way of getting a shadow effect to your text is to select the text
you want to apply the shadow to and click on the big "S" (for
"shadow) in the "Formatting" toolbar, just besides
"B" for bold, "I" for italic and "U" for
underlined.
Unfortunately, in this way you will obtain only a default light shadow:
its color may be gray and its effect mediocre at best.
If instead you access the "graphic" shadow feature in
PowerPoint, you can completely customize the shadow, changing its color
and moving its orientation.
Let's see how to do it:
a) Select the text you want to apply the shadow effect to
b) On the Drawing Toolbar, click on the second last icon,
"Shadow"
c) Select the last option "Shadow Settings..."
d) You will obtain a small floating window with some icons:
- The first one from the left is "Shadow On/Off". This icon
turns on or off the shadow effect
- The second block of 4 icons are to "nudge" shadow up, down,
left or right. These are useful options since you can customize the
visible portion of your shadow: you can decide how much shadow you will
display and in what direction it will appear.
- The last icon, the "Shadow Color", is a drop down list that
will let you chose exactly the color you need for your shadow. You even
have the possibility to apply a semitransparent shadow to your text.
By using these tools you will be able to apply any type of shadow to
your text. What is more important, you will be able to change the shadow
color according to the background and text color you have chosen.
Just make a few attempts and see the result full screen. The purpose is
to gain in readability, not in fanciness. As long as you use sober colors
and try to focus on readability, your results will be great.
You can read this article in the original issue of MasterView.
