Exploring Dyslexic Umwelten through Social Model Design

A Layout Design Workshop as Research through Design

Abstract

This study presents a Research through Design (RtD)approach to exploring the “Umwelten” of individuals withdyslexia through a layout design workshop. Conductedcollaboratively with editorial and font designers, the workshopsupported participants in identifying personally optimal textlayouts, thereby visualizing the diversity of dyslexic readingexperiences. An Actor-Network Theory (ANT) perspectivehighlights how the layouts transitioned from mere informationalintermediaries to transformative mediators, fostering newinsights for educators, empowering participants, and redefiningthe designer’s social role. Through this project, we areexamining the methodology of research through design.