PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Illiteracy affects all aspects of an individual’s life from childhood through adulthood. Those with low literacy skills are far more likely to live in poverty, face health problems, and become increasingly isolated. Research demonstrates a positive correlation between an individual’s ability to read and their overall success in life. See Words: Anywhere and its special font, SeeType, were developed to address this important social need. As a digital reading proficiency system and learning method, See Words Anywhere not only aids emerging readers, young and old, but the dedicated teacher or tutor. Whether an adult learning to read or a third-grader still trying to master reading, See Word Anywhere patiently tutors whenever and wherever.
See Words: Anywhere and SeeType, which harnesses variable font technology, teach phonetics in the context of reading. The development of this instructional experience was guided by design principles, educational science, and research. Using a co-design methodology, the Learning by Design Lab team collaborated with linguists, educators, and reading specialists. Working from a generated object word list, SeeType font glyphs cover all forty-four sounds of the English language. By cuing the reading learner to see and hear the letters’ sounds, this association is reassured for future recall.
PROJECT INFORMATION
Entry Type: Single Entry
Channel: Digital
Primary Role of the Designer: Designer as change agent
Client Relationship: Unknown (NA) / Other (if other, please explain) This was a University funded research project that is moving into a product in a start up company launched from the University
Intention of the Project: Introduction of a new product, service, or program
Development Budget: More than $50,000
Production/Execution Budget: Confidential / Not Available
Source of Funding: Other (if other, please explain) Funded by the University of Cincinnati Venture Lab and Research2030 grant
Typefaces: SeeType (custom variable font)
Paper:
Materials:
CREDIT INFORMATION
Creative Director:
Art Director:
Designers: Oscar Fernández, Shannon Healey, Lily Li, Frida Medrano, Spencer Roberts, Reneé Seward, Akshat Srivastava
Researchers: Oscar Fernández; Reneé Seward
Developers: Steve Daly
Copywriter:
Illustrator:
Photographer:
Printer:
Producer:
Other Credits: Allison Breit; Nancy Creaghead; Jenny Halvovick; Jennifer Keelor & Kristie Thompson– Educational & Literacy Researchers/Experts; Steve Daly– Technology Specialist; Nancy Koors–Commercialization Advisor
See Words: Anywhere
Category
Experience / Product / Service / Systems Design
Description
Winner - 365: AIGA Year in Design (2021)
Title: See Words: Anywhere
Design Firm/Agency: See Words Design LLC + University of Cincinnati's Learning By Design Lab
Client Industry: Education
Client Location: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
Juror Comments
“As an artistic kid growing up with dyslexia, this would have been an amazing tool to have.” —Rafael Esquer
Self-Identified Distinctions: Design for Good, Inclusive Design, Social Releavance
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