As a graphic designer, I rely on my vision to create exclusively optical experiences. After exploring how typography impacts visually impaired users, I wondered how design could be more inclusive to that community. Over the last year, I partnered with a local school district’s team of teacher consultants for the visually impaired. 

While observing the consultants, I met a high school student, India. She lost her sight at age four as a brain tumor intruded around her optic nerve. In scary and unfamiliar territory, India adapted to her condition with newfound bravery and learned she was a part of a community. Today, India mentors young students and proudly shares her story to help the sighted understand her experiences. 

Her Voice Guided Me reflects on how a designer and a visually impaired student helped each other see differently. Our partnership is expressed in two books: the first is a four part autobiography that tells the story of this inspiring visually impaired student, the second is a collection of my reflections of valuable perspectives I gained through this collaboration.

Our book: My Blind Adventure, April 2016; box: 8 5/8” W x 2 5/8” D x 9 1/8” H, Book One: 8” W x ” D x 5” H, Book Two: 8” W x ” D x 6” H, Book Three: 8” W x ” D x 7” H, Book Four: 8” W x ” D x 8” H; paper, puffy paint, book cloth, typeset in Avenir on heavyweight matte Epson paper and Perkins Brailler on drawing paper, drum leaf binding cased in a flip-top drop spine box.

My book: see clearly from a distance, colors, April 2016; Box: 8 15/16” W x 11 5/16” D x 6 15/16” H, Book: 8 1/8” W x 1” D x 6 1/8” H; paper, book cloth, typeset in ITC New Baskerville on matte Epson paper. Braille set with a Perkins Brailler. Concertina fold, cased in a clamshell box.

By presenting a design interpretation of a case study, this book reveals the value of collaboration with the visually impaired. see clearly from a distance, colors addresses issues of artistic collaboration, ability of sight, and the visual world within a very visual context.

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By incorporating braille into my book, I feel the gap between the visual and non-visual worlds shrinks. The content in the beginning is more poetic as the type and braille ignore a grid, I created these spreads to expressmy attitudes about my experiences. The content in the back is more informative, I created these spreads to give the reader insight into my process working with India.

Within my undergraduate curriculum, I completed a senior year-long course called Integrative Project (IP). This thesis project allowed me to synthesize my academic and studio work, beginning with an individually developed project proposal and culminating in a thoughtful, public presentation that demonstrates knowledge of particularized issues, methods and materials. For this work, I was awarded with an Integrative Project Award. This award recognized eight out of 67 outstanding student Integrative Projects, judged in the entirety of the process—the concept, the research, the work, the finished product, the thinking and rethinking, making and remaking. I was also awarded with a Certificate of Appreciation from the Investing in Ability Committee of the University of Michigan Council for Disability Concerns for my efforts and achievements in the area of disability.

This project is part of the Special Collections Library at the University of Michigan Library, available to be seen by appointment.

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