Introducing 'Meet the Megalodon'! This project is a tactile illustrated book created for my thesis at Falmouth University, exploring how to design a universally accessible non-fiction picture book for young readers (approximately 4-8 years old).
Told from the perspective of a megalodon—the world's largest shark, which went extinct 5 million years ago—this book is filled with fun and fascinating facts about this prehistoric fish. Did you know they could grow up to 19 meters long, about the length of two double-decker buses?
There are few tactile books for children, especially in non-fiction. Much of the publishing market, particularly in the English-speaking world, limits tactile books to simple board books for very young children, often depicting basic daily routines like going to the park or seeing different types of dogs.
As a former child with a fascination for dinosaurs and ocean creatures, I noticed a Mariana Trench-sized gap in tactile books that low-vision readers can enjoy. This project is an initial experiment in creating picture books based on a universal design framework, aiming to be inclusive for the widest possible audience, regardless of visual ability.
Each page is carefully designed with text (screen-printed visual text and embossed Braille) on one side and illustrations on the other, a format that research by design experts Michael Evamy and Lucienne Roberts shows to improve readability for those with low vision.
This project engages multiple senses, including touch, sound, haptics, and even smell! For instance, one page features tropical-scented flowers to illustrate that megalodons lived in warmer seas. Some illustrations even venture into 3D through pop-up elements. Apart from the Braille (laser-cut for embossing) and the customized digital text designed to be more accessible for dyslexic readers, every element—including the hand-painted illustrations, screen prints, and binding—was crafted by hand.
Currently, the project is in its prototype phase, and I am about to begin consultations with children with visual impairments to better understand their needs and improve the next iteration.
Have a listen to the audio version!
