Optical

Optical is the result of a research project aiming to test, develop and release the first font customizable to the individual needs of people with low vision.

Led by designer and Emily Carr alum Tyler Hawkins, Optical is a customizable font and a free web tool for low vision that combines recent research into specific legibility goals with modern font software. Originally a grad project, Optical (previously Access Font) was incubated through our Satellite Residency, which brought Health Design Lab at Emily Carr University of Art + Design and Disability Alliance BC (DABC) as project partners to to develop, test, and release the software. The development team includes font developer Mirko Velimirovic of Abyss Type Company, and Quinn Keaveney of Liiift Studio who runs web and extension development.

The research-to-launch phase of this project was generously supported by Accessible Technology Program at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED).

Visit the Optical Font website now to install the tool and to learn more about the project, including technical specs and the full story behind its development.