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Do we really need ligatures? As I understand, they originated in the days when it was difficult to mechanically put an "f"-block and an "i"-block close together
by VMG 15y ago
Do we really need ligatures? As I understand, they originated in the days when it was difficult to mechanically put an "f"-block and an "i"-block close together. Do we have to emulate this in environments where we don't have these constraints?
- generalk 15y agoNobody has to, but there's no harm in a little skeumorphism here and there for aesthetic reasons. We have a big walk-in fireproof safe in our office that long ago had the locking mechanisms removed, but the dial and lever are still in place on the door because it looks cool.
- nvk 15y agoYes we do.
- gerrit 15y agoEven with digital fonts, there are situations where certain character combinations, such as “ffi” touch/overlap each other. Ligatures are a special-case letterform for these situations that blends them more harmonically
- bitwize 15y agoI've gotten by fine without them, but designers and typography experts say they are easier to read, and a must-have for serious typography. So yes, we need them.