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.

Ann M. Conefrey

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
Email
ann@brailledots.nl