Research in Visual Arts and Design
Paul Morris - Lecturer in Graphic Design
Tactile book design methods for vision impaired children.
Paul Morris writes about his research:
The Little Grub Reading Kit is a combination of written research and
physical design work in the area of tactile book design for visually
impaired children. The physical design component develops a series of
concept drawings, rough hand made three dimensional models and finally
on to a fully functional proto-type. The end result of the design process
comes together as an exhibition in the style of a domestic environment.
This exhibition is titled, 'Anticipate, Empower, Explore - Tactile book
design methods for visually impaired children.
This project is a re-development of existing kit forms that hold books
and other reading materials. It does not deal with the content of such
a kit, as its major concern. The written research elucidates the kit
as a holding device and how it interacts, informs and becomes part of
its changeable contents, as well as how users interact with it and challenges
the stereotypical use of past and present institutionalised products,
both in form and function. The final design results in a close to 'industry
ready' product prototype.
It is the way in which a reading kit form communicates to its audience
that is at the heart of this research. The research challenges ideas
of who the audience is and how they see the kit. A new reading kit design,
as a physical outcome of this research, has come about through a combination
of design through making, as well a drawing on salient points of other
research to bring together a new design that has broad usage possibilities
and potential for the user to control, the reading process.
Contact Paul Morris
 Detail
of surface texture on moulded exterior of kit. |
 Playful/informal
element on the exterior surface of the kit. |
Click image to enlarge
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