BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Talks.cam//talks.cam.ac.uk//
X-WR-CALNAME:Talks.cam
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Optimising the design of text using simple algorithms - Professor 
 Arnold J. Wilkins\, Department of Psychology\, University of Essex
DTSTART:20181128T130000Z
DTEND:20181128T140000Z
UID:TALK114478@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:John Mollon
DESCRIPTION:Simple algorithms that assess the spatial periodicity of text 
 can predict both the comfort and the speed with which text can be read. Ra
 tings of discomfort from a wide variety of images are predictable from the
  extent to which the images are “un-natural”\, as assessed by fitting 
 a 1/f cone to the two-dimensional Fourier transform.  The size of the resi
 duals in such a fit predicts discomfort from text\, as reflected in the ch
 oices people make when adjusting i-Books. Reading speed can be predicted f
 rom the first peak in the horizontal autocorrelation of text. The higher t
 he peak\, the lower the reading speed because more time is required to re-
 align the eyes following a saccade. There are large differences between fo
 nts as regards predictions of comfort and speed.  Text for children is ina
 ppropriately designed: it gets too small too early in life\, compromising 
 reading speed and comprehension.  In addition\, appropriately selecting th
 e background colour of text can sometimes facilitate reading. The reasons 
 may be related to cortical hyperexcitability and a consequent susceptibili
 ty to the spatial periodicity of text.
LOCATION:Kenneth Craik Room\, Craik-Marshall Building\, Downing Site
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR