description
Layogenic was the final project for my design degree. It explores how to create picture books that can be enjoyed by both blind and sighted children, combining research with practical design.
The project is divided into two main sections. The first is an in-depth study of the technical principles behind books for blind readers, including the use of the Braille system, tactile illustrations, and the role of storytelling in accessible books.
The second section focuses on the creative development of the book itself, documenting the design process – from the story and concept to texture experiments, shape studies, and material testing.
The final outcome of the project is La búsqueda del gamusino, a tactile picture book designed so that all children can experience and enjoy the story together.
CLIENT
Layogenic
YEAR
2017
EXPERTISE
Investigation and
Book Design
This project was made with the support of:
ONCE (the Spanish National
Organisation for the Blind)
ABOUT THE IDEA
Layogenic is a Tagalog word that cannot be directly translated. It describes, for example, an impressionist painting that looks beautiful and captivating from a distance, but when viewed
up close, loses sense and becomes almost impossible
to understand.
This sensation is similar to what a blind child experiences
when visiting a conventional bookshop. Most major booksellers do not have a Braille section – let alone a section for tactile picture books. These books represent an almost non-existent market within publishing; the few that exist are usually handmade or designed solely for didactic purposes.
This project therefore set out to create a functional, playful,
and interactive book that all children can enjoy, providing
a first step on their reading journey.
The characters went through several changes during the design process, but I was confident they would be interactive – able to leave the book so that children could touch and play with them.
Their shapes needed a common link, yet each character had
to be distinct enough to be recognisable. For this reason, simple geometric forms were the most effective choice. Their textures were also carefully designed to differentiate them.
A small group of blind and sighted children helped choose the textures and colours, testing different options to represent each character’s features and personality. This was one of the most fascinating aspects of the project, revealing just how much perception we lose when we rely solely on vision.
The locations were strategically designed to be “easy-to”:
easy to recognise by children, easy to create visually, and
easy to interpret through texture. Combining multiple elements into a mental image using only touch is challenging, which is why simplicity and minimal detail were key – in this case,
less truly is more.
All shapes were simplified as much as possible and inspired by paintings made by children. The textures were also chosen by the children, based on their sensory experiences. Many are real materials, such as the wood for the trees or the sand in the park.
The gallery presents the step-by-step process of creating the locations: from rough sketches and measurements, to material diagrams, colour studies, and finally, production.
