cuestypography

Cuestypography is a design approach within typography that emphasizes the use of cues—visual signals such as color, weight, size, spacing, and layout—to guide a reader’s attention and comprehension. The term blends "cue" with typography and is used in discussions of information hierarchy, accessibility, and digital readability. The goal is to create an intuitive reading flow where typographic cues reinforce content structure rather than merely decorate text.

Techniques associated with cuestypography include assigning explicit cues to headings and body text by varying weight and size to indicate importance; using color to signal sections or states without sacrificing contrast; employing deliberate micro-spacing and margins to create visual micro-gestures; and leveraging responsive typography that adapts cue strength across devices. The approach also considers accessibility, ensuring sufficient contrast and a clear hierarchy for users with visual impairments.

Historically, cuestypography emerges from information design and the broader movement toward accessible, user-centered typography in the late 2010s and 2020s. It draws on cognitive psychology about how people scan text and on responsive design practices that adapt visual signals to context.

Applications include web interfaces, instructional materials, signage, and print layouts where rapid comprehension and navigability are essential. Critics argue that overemphasizing cues can lead to inconsistency or visual clutter if not standardized, and that accessibility must be maintained at every step.

See also: typography, information design, readable typography, accessible design.