Final answer:
Legibility is the characteristic that measures how recognizable characters of a typeface are, especially at text sizes, primarily used in typography. It involves various factors including the choice between serif and sans-serif fonts, as well as the overall style of the typeface.
Step-by-step explanation:
The characteristic described in the question refers to how easily a reader can distinguish individual characters within a piece of text. The correct answer to the given options is Legibility. Legibility is highly important in typography, which is the art and technique of arranging type to make written language legible, readable, and appealing when displayed. This involves not just the selection of a typeface but also the consideration of line spacing, point size, and style characteristic features like serif or sans-serif fonts.
Serifs are small decorative flourishes on the ends of some of the strokes that make up letters and symbols of certain fonts, like Times New Roman. A serif font is typically seen as more classical or traditional, while a sans-serif font, such as Helvetica, presents a cleaner, more modern appearance. Decisions on typography are critical when creating a corporate identity, enabling brands to convey specific attributes and emotions through their choice of typeface.