Easyreading: hybrid font with “high readability”, design and reading for all<

Federico Alfonsetti and Marco Canali - ActuaLitté, CC BY SA 2.0

" We have thought, over time and a lot of research, of creating a font that is presented as having high readability", says Federico Alfonsetti, director of the company. At the Turin Book Fair, the EasyReading stand relies less on the sale of books than on the presentation of its tool.

Editor in a previous life, Federico was offered by an author the publication of a book on dyslexia, and the most popular personalities affected. “ We told the life of Magic Johnson, the basketball player, of Einstein, or of John Lennon. And this, remembering that there are two main reactions in children with dys disorders. Either withdrawal or exuberance, if we keep it simple.

In his job, Federico understands that it is impossible to respond to all dys problems, " especially since the fonts that are designed to try to provide a solution do not make it possible to find them: each dys encounters distinct difficulties. The challenge was therefore less to find a font that would improve the readability of the texts than to respond to dys disorders".

So it all started by taking into account as many dys disorders as possible, to create " a typeface that is highly readable, for everyone, and which above all presents maximum character simplification ". All based on the principle of design for all, drawing inspiration from a master in the field, Bruno Munari.

"Munari was a visual artist, who also published children's books. Designer of object books, he had above all in mind to seek innovative, often unusual forms. But following him, Federico Alfonsetti made the image of the mountaineer his own: “ The function of a typeface is not to be admired: above all, it must be readable. The aesthetic criterion comes second. The first to have climbed Mont-Blanc were helped by porters, they had the summit as their project, giving themselves the means. »

The EasyReading font is part of this approach: "Achieving a product that is not that of an artist, but of a designer, who conceives utility, functionality. Munari had fun creating La sedia per visite brevissime: it is a chair whose seat is inclined at 45°. He said it was for unwanted guests! »

DIY: How to Make a Beautiful Book Planter: A few months ago, Inhabitat featured some great upcycled book planters... http ://bit.ly/aHAKir

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All the detail of the work done on the letters is presented on the EasyReading site, and you can also try it out to get an idea. "It's a hybrid typeface, based on serif and sans-serif characters, with some that are 60% longer than usual. »

During an innovation competition launched by Italy, the font was presented and elected: but all the work still remained to be done. This is where Marco Canali comes in, who has become an investor " The potential of a typeface is totally unimaginable: as soon as we are faced with writing, it can find an application. Subtitles for cinema or television, advertising, books, comics: it becomes possible to read everything, without getting tired. »

Mickey, Flammarion and soon Microsoft?

But this story still had to be told, and above all listened to. "My intervention has nothing to do with Federico's work", he explains to ActuaLitté. "The money must be used to make the police known, and to show what and to whom they can be useful. This does not prevent research and development work from continuing. " Federico continues to work on Arabic, Modern and Ancient Greek, and others. As for the Japanese or Chinese ideograms, the project is delicate and complex. »

It started with filing a patent with the World Intellectual Property Registry. However, shortly after the arrival of Marco Canali, a high-tech giant presented itself. "We were able to meet Microsoft officials, with whom we are still talking. The Americans are slow to sign: despite the scientific study presented, the services want a counter-verification: "Another study has been commissioned, still in progress. »

And Federico launches: " In bocca al lupo! Fingers crossed indeed. Especially since since then, several operations have been launched: with the Journal de Mickey in Italy – called Topolino – which has used the font for all the editorial parts of its magazine. “They even carried out advertising campaigns, communicating on the use of our font, it was exceptional. ".

Then came a partnership with the French publisher Flammarion: a series of three books by Nadine Brun-Cosme should use EasyReading Font. "Our project is to bring this high readability to as many people as possible! »

Today, individuals can afford the policy for 49 € for private use. For companies, the conditions differ: it is better to contact the two men to find out how to work with their police. " We are now looking to promote our tool throughout Italy, in Europe... all over the world ", jokes, but halfway, Marco Canali. “ We must provide a representation service, to demonstrate the value of what we have created. »

ActuaLitté may soon decide to switch to EasyReading. After all, good ideas are worth sharing...