PseudoSloan: A perimetric-complexity and area-controlled font for vision and reading research

Area of Science:

• Vision Science
• Cognitive Psychology
• Linguistics

Background:

• Artificial orthographies (pseudo/false fonts) are crucial for isolating orthographic effects in reading and verbal learning research.
• Optotype design for visual acuity testing focuses on character complexity and blur degradation.
• Existing research lacks a unified approach combining these principles.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design a novel, scalable pseudofont, "PseudoSloan," merging principles of artificial orthography and optotype design.
• To create a font based on the widely used Sloan optotypes, facilitating direct comparison and research integration.
• To provide a versatile tool for studying visual perception and reading processes.

Main Methods:

• Developed "PseudoSloan" based on Sloan optotype design guidelines.
• Included 26 Latin letters and two sets of letter-like symbols.
• Quantitatively matched Sloan and PseudoSloan glyphs using ink area and perimetric complexity.

Main Results:

• Successfully designed and created the scalable "PseudoSloan" font.
• Provided PseudoSloan glyphs with controlled variations in ink area and perimetric complexity.
• Font available in TrueType, OpenType, and .svg formats for broad accessibility.

Conclusions:

• "PseudoSloan" offers a valuable, standardized resource for research in reading, verbal learning, and vision science.
• The font's design facilitates the separation of orthographic from lexical processing effects.
• Availability of diverse glyphs supports research on visual acuity and character recognition.