About
Ann M. Conefrey is a graphic designer and researcher and is an expert in tactile graphic design. Ann set up Braille Dots in 2014 as a platform to promote the use of braille and tactile design by researching and initiating projects, either independently or in collaboration with others.
Tactile Graphic Designer / Researcher
My career as a designer spans more than thirty years. After graduating from University in Bristol (UWE) at the end of the 80’s, I moved to the Netherlands where I worked for several years in studios in Amsterdam and the Hague. Since 1994 I have been working as a co-partner in Conefrey/Koedam Grafisch Ontwerp.
By combining my art and design background with firsthand knowledge of visual disabilities and braille, I am in the unique position to develop a more inclusive approach to design. As a designer and parent to a blind daughter I feel a responsibility to narrow the gap between visual and tactile communication.
During the past ten years I have collaborated with education, cultural organizations and commercial companies, researching and designing for a wide range of tactile design projects. Several of my book designs have won awards and I am currently working as an advisor for an Erasmus Plus project to develop European guidelines for tactile books as well as being a member of resonance groups. Furthermore I have given presentations at international conferences on tactile literacy and more recently have started hosting tactility workshops.
I am currently following a two year part-time Master Design at the WdKA/PZI in Rotterdam. My design research is focussed on increasing the quality, diversity and relevance of analogue tactile communication. This involves a lot of collaborative work with a wide range of experts with and without a visual disability and encouraging co-design. By researching the expressive qualities of tangible materials and exploring the boundaries of tactility, imagery and braille, I aim to develop innovative, multi-sensory tactile designs.
Collaborations
Thank you for taking the time to read this. I welcome opportunities for multidisciplinary collaborations. Should you have any comments or questions then I look forward to hearing from you.
My passion and affinity lies with tactile, ‘touchable’ design.
Contact
- Company
- Conefrey/Koedam
- Name
- Ann M. Conefrey
- Address
- Roemer Visscherlaan 8
- City
- 3705 SG Zeist
- Country
- The Netherlands
- Telephone
- +31 6 30 2217070
- ann@brailledots.nl