Designing ‘An Introduction to Braille’
With great enthusiasm and passion, I worked on the development of the book ‘Op weg naar Braille,’ (An Introduction to Braille for Adults), published in Dutch. I knew from the outset that this would be a challenging and interesting project and decided to document the whole process. My involvement is mainly due to my blind daughter. Through her I know how important and indispensable braille is.
Affinity with Braille
How do you approach designing a book about braille? When my daughter learned braille at primary school, I also followed a course (sight reading braille) so that I’d be able to support her learning and development. Actually, I’ve always been involved with braille and presenting information in a tactile way, first through making simple tactile books and later braille books. Together with a remedial teacher I developed a supportive communication system for use in school and at home. More recently I’ve been actively combining this experience and knowledge more professionally with my work as a graphic designer.
Design and development
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Photographer, Gerben Groothuis, during photo session with Thea.
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Patricia reviewing braille proofs, part of paper research.
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Reviewing offset printing, Lecturis.
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‘Dewatering’, during paper production.
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Printing braille on Heidelberg Flatbed Press, CBB.
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Printing braille on cover using Braille Embosser, CBB.
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Singer sewn binding, Patist.
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Princess Laurentien presented first book ‘Op weg naar braille’ during NLBB Braille Symposium (28-11-14).
Working Group Braille Education
The project was set up by the VOL Working Group Braille Education, of which I am a member. ‘De Vereniging Onbeperkt Lezen’, is a foundation in the Netherlands that provides information about literacy for people with a visual or reading disability. The idea was to develop a book or brochure introducing braille to adults faced with losing their sight. Information about braille is very fragmented and so the goal was to provide comprehensive information, giving answers to questions such as, ‘what is braille, how can I use it, is it difficult to learn, can you use it on a computer?’ and so on.