Benjamin Parfitt
Bristol, UK
Project Question
How can variable fonts help aid accessibility for those with learning differences?
Aim and Objective
“According to the British Dyslexia Association, there is an estimated up to 10% of the population in the United Kingdom who live with the learning difference dyslexia, with other groups claiming it to be up to 16% which as of 2020 stands at 10,861,762 people” (British Dyslexia Association).
The aim of this project is to discover and present a viable option for people who live with dyslexia, in order for them to have more accessible experiences when using digital screens when reading.
Background information surrounding this topic will be informed by academic papers, and interviews conducted with people with the learning difference to obtain a clearer insight into how the learning difference affects people differently.
Final Outcome
‘Flexi-Read’ is a web browser extension which is a tool that allows people who have dyslexia be able to adjust type on the digital screen – ranging from spacing of the characters and words to the weight, height and weight of characters.
‘Flexi-Read’ uses variable fonts as the base typography format as variable fonts allow for more adaptability for different outcomes which helps enable a more unique and tailored adjustments for those who need it most.
How has your practice developed while studying the MA in Graphic Design with a global cohort?
Over the course of the two years, I feel that my practice has benefitted from speaking with people from alternative backgrounds and sectors of the world, as it has provided alternative perspectives when it has come to more social-orientated projects.
Being a part of a global cohort, it has also been interesting to take note of the different design styles, which have been brought forward from the cohort and seeing how culture has taken affect to inform a particular design aesthetic and approach towards a project.