Design Dyslexia
In response to the ISTD 2021 brief 'Putting Things in Order'.
The focus of the content will present the research into the well-known dyslexic creatives, include the interviews that I conducted with friends and practitioners who are also dyslexic and finally, instructional information in regards to what dyslexic people find easier to read and what is more legible for their reading ability.
The publication name – Design for Dysleixa is self explanatory and direct. The format evolved to be an A4 booklet with A5 tip-ins and a range of A3 fold-out posters. The posters fold down to A5 so they are easily accessible in studio, but can also be put up on a wall for reference.
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The biggest challenge I wanted to achieve was not just present the guidance information, but also to design my outcome following the guidance. This has been a risk, as the advice in many cases, goes against what we have been taught about good typographic practice. Larger body copy, bigger leading and the avoidance of capitals – all of which compelled me to alter my original design. I hope that I have been able to present a document which can both be accessible for people with dyslexia and still show that the typographic design can be successful. I feel, ultimately, this is the challenge for accessible design.
The Specification
The Strategy
In response to the ISTD Brief ‘Putting Things in Order’ I was drawn towards topics regarding sorting and ordering things. I ended up researching rigorously into dyslexia and found it so interesting to discover facts about the disorder that I had no idea about. I conducted interviews with dyslexic people after initial research into famous people with it. Through my research I gathered articles and publications and noticed a particular trend that a lot of dyslexics are also creative – the interviews I undertook proved this. All the interviewees work within creative industries and the interviews outlined how it affects their lives and also were their strengths lie.
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I interviewed six people and asked them questions based on their dyslexia and what life is like with it. The interviewees are not only creative, but also they are practical thinkers. Evidence states that approximately 84% of dyslexics ‘are good at imagining’ which does suggest a correlation as to why many dyslexics are creative.
The Response Deliverables
The deliverables produced comes as an A4 booklet with A6 tip ins, a square specification booklet and A3 posters to pair with the booklet that could be pinned up in the Graphic Design studio.
The A4 Booklet
The A3 Posters
