{"id":25277,"date":"2025-10-10T15:13:06","date_gmt":"2025-10-10T13:13:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aluo.uni-lj.si\/raziskovanja\/kaverljag-illustration-for-the-blind-and-visually-impaired\/"},"modified":"2026-04-16T15:39:24","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T13:39:24","slug":"kaverljag-illustration-for-the-blind-and-visually-impaired","status":"publish","type":"raziskovanja","link":"https:\/\/www.aluo.uni-lj.si\/en\/raziskovanja\/kaverljag-illustration-for-the-blind-and-visually-impaired\/","title":{"rendered":"Kaverljag: Illustration for the Blind and Visually Impaired"},"content":{"rendered":"

Since 1998, the Kaverljag Association and UL ALUO have collaborated on projects in the fields of environmental and social sustainability, often placing vulnerable social groups at the centre. Within these interdisciplinary and multicultural projects, two books for the blind and partially sighted were produced in the past: Dotakni se ptice<\/em>\u00a0(Touch the Bird) and \u017du\u017eelke od blizu<\/em>\u00a0(Insects Up Close). This collaboration, however, came to a halt in 2012. Recognizing its many positive outcomes, UL ALUO saw an opportunity to revive this legacy in 2024, as it provided an ideal platform for connecting students of design, biology, pedagogy, and the arts. The initiative was linked to visual literacy (as part of the research programme P5_0452,\u00a0Visual Literacy<\/a>, co-financed by ARIS) and in 2024 continued with a focus on marine biology. Given that the Visual Literacy research programme is concerned with exploring the visual, it may at first glance seem paradoxical that the project focuses on people with various visual impairments, for whom the visual is virtually out of reach. Yet, this very contradiction became the starting point in our reasoning: in order to truly understand the visual, it is necessary to explore what lies beyond the visual<\/em>. (\u010cerne Oven, 2025)<\/p>\n

The aim was to develop an empathetic and interdisciplinary approach to the design of tactile scientific illustrations, building partly on past experience while introducing new methodological and pedagogical approaches. We also consciously drew on practices employed by individual UL ALUO educators over the past decade: student-centred teaching, internationalization, multidisciplinary collaboration, and sustainability.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Project Description:<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Phases<\/strong>
\nThe project consisted of several phases that complemented one another.<\/p>\n

Phase 1: Analysis of existing practice<\/em>s
\nBefore the summer school, an interdisciplinary group of students conducted research into materials available for the blind and partially sighted. They found that, while there is a relatively wide range of picture books for early literacy, didactic scientific illustrations\u2014especially in biology\u2014are rare. Resources related to marine biology are particularly scarce, which is why the project focused on this area.<\/p>\n

Phase 2: Kaverljag International Summer School: Marine Organisms for the Blind and Partially Sighted<\/em>
\nHeld in Pliskovica, on the Karst plateau, the school brought together 24 participants from five countries. The theoretical component included lectures by scientists, designers, artists, and specialist teachers of the visually impaired on inclusive design, the marine world, and sensory perception. A key emphasis was placed on developing empathy, notably through an experiential workshop simulating everyday challenges faced by blind people. Students also took part in excursions organized with partner institutions, after which they sketched and illustrated marine organisms, simplified them through linocut, and prepared graphic adaptations of scientific illustrations. This required balancing scientific accuracy, graphic clarity, and the adaptation of proportions of visual elements to Braille standards. Owing to the high cost of embossing, they also explored 3D printing as a more affordable option for users.<\/p>\n

Phase 3: Continuation and Testing<\/em>
\nAfter the international summer school, a core working group of students adapted the illustrations for an optimal tactile experience: they prepared vector files for 3D modelling and experimented with materials and printer nozzles. Through iteration and collaboration, they developed tactile illustrations accessible to the blind and partially sighted. The illustrations, together with accompanying materials (audio recordings, original scientific illustrations, descriptions of marine organisms, process documentation, etc.), were prepared for exhibitions. In cooperation with associations of the blind, partially sighted and deafblind, guided tours were organized to gather feedback and conduct testing.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Continuation <\/strong><\/p>\n

As illustrated didactic materials for the blind and partially sighted remain scarce, this project sought to expand the range of accessible resources for this vulnerable group. Alongside practical work, we developed theoretical methods and recommendations for creating tactile scientific illustrations using 3D printing, published in the scientific monograph Illustrating the Invisible: Design for an Inclusive Society<\/em> (UL ALUO, 2025).<\/p>\n

Building on improved prototypes, an open-access database of tactile scientific illustrations for the blind and partially sighted is now being established. With plans to expand the collection annually through integration into the curriculum, the experience will be passed on to new generations of students, thereby empowering young designers to act professionally and empathetically in the field of social design. The database and accompanying \u201cprint-on-demand\u201d guidelines will support teachers, families, and specialist educators in teaching the blind and partially sighted.<\/p>\n

The project\u2019s outcomes thus benefit blind and partially sighted individuals, students, professional designers, and special-needs experts alike. All stakeholders can gain valuable insight into interdisciplinary approaches, while the initiative underscores the importance of inclusive design for the profession, its users, and society as a whole. At the same time, the project contributes to the discussion on visual literacy and inclusive design through collaboration between art and science, fostering the development of new projects that improve access to information and enable equal participation in society.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Results to date:<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Articles and Scientific Monograph<\/strong><\/p>\n

Tadeja Lukanc,\u00a0\u00bbZ znanstveno ilustracijo do slepih<\/em>\u00ab [Reaching the Blind through Scientific Illustration],\u00a0Dnevnik, 30 July 2024, article<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\u00bbOdprtje razstave \u2018Kaj gledam, kaj vidim: Morski organizmi za osebe z motnjami vida<\/em>\u2019\u00ab [Opening of the Exhibition \u2018What I Look At, What I See: Marine Organisms for People with Visual Impairments\u2019], Kultura, RTV SLO, 10 September 2024, article<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Petra Mezinec, \u00bbOrganizme iz na\u0161ega morja sku\u0161ajo pribli\u017eati slepim in slabovidnim<\/em>\u00ab [Marine Organisms from Our Sea Are Being Brought Closer to the Blind and Partially Sighted], Primorske novice, 2 August 2024, article<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

M. K., \u00bbKaj gledam, kaj vidim: \u017divljenje pod morsko gladino za osebe z motnjami vida<\/em>\u00ab [What I Look At, What I See: Life Beneath the Sea Surface for People with Visual Impairments], Vizualna umetnost, RTV SLO, 10 September 2024, article<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Marija Gomba\u010d, \u00bbUmetnost onkraj vidnega<\/em>\u00ab [Art Beyond the Visible], Primorske novice, 17 January 2026, article<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Scientific monograph <\/strong>Illustrating the Invisible: Towards an Inclusive Society for Blind and Partially Sighted<\/a> (UL ALUO, 2025), published in Slovenian and English. Through contributions, it highlights the importance of social inclusion and demonstrates how thoughtful design can improve quality of life. In addition to practical aspects (such as process descriptions, results analysis, and examples of good practice), the monograph also provides theoretical analyses of scientific illustration and design for the blind and partially sighted, along with precise recommendations for further work in this field.<\/p>\n

Morski organizmi skozi o\u010di in roke slepih in slabovidnih <\/em>[Marine Organisms Through the Eyes and Hands of the Blind and Partially Sighted],\u00a0ObalaPlus, article<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Exhibitions<\/strong><\/p>\n

Kaj gledam in kaj vidim: Morski organizmi za osebe z motnjami vida <\/em>[What I Look At and What I See: Marine Organisms for People with Visual Impairments], Galerija Centra ilustracije [Illustration Centre Gallery], Ljubljana, 10 September\u20136 October 2024, exhibition. Visits by institutions, schools, and guided tours.<\/p>\n

What I Look At and What I See: Marine Organisms for People with Visual Impairments<\/em>, Galerija Insula, Izola, 10 October\u20136 November 2024.<\/p>\n

Festival hrane za mo\u017egane<\/em> [Food for the Brain Festival], Kongresni trg, Ljubljana, May 2025, exhibition.<\/p>\n

Tactile illustrations presented as part of the opening programme of Center za osebe z okvaro vida v Novi Gorici<\/em> [Centre for People with Visual Impairments in Nova Gorica], 15 October 2025, pop-up exhibition, in collaboration with Medob\u010dinsko dru\u0161tvo slepih in slabovidnih Nova Gorica<\/em> (MDSS NG) [Intermunicipal Association of the Blind and Partially Sighted Nova Gorica].<\/p>\n

Kaj gledam in kaj vidim \u2013 Morski organizmi za osebe z motnjami vida<\/em>, 17 October\u201331 December 2025,\u00a0Taktilna galerija, Mercator center Nova Gorica <\/em>[Tactile Gallery, Mercator Centre Nova Gorica], exhibition. Part of the\u00a0Evropska prestolnica kulture GO! 2025<\/em> [European Capital of Culture GO! 2025] programme, in collaboration with\u00a0Gori\u0161ki muzej<\/em> [Gorizia Regional Museum] and MDSS NG.<\/p>\n

Exhibition\u00a0Ilustriranje nevidnega: oblikovanje za vklju\u010dujo\u010do dru\u017ebo. Morski organizmi za ljudi z okvaro vida<\/em> [Illustrating the Invisible: Design for an Inclusive Society. Marine Organisms for People with Visual Impairments], within\u00a0\u00bbNovembra smo II.<\/em>\u00ab [In November We Are II], 12\u201330 November 2025, UL Filozofska fakulteta<\/em> [University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Arts].<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lectures at Scientific Conferences, Round Tables and Symposia<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u010cerne Oven, Petra; Marija Nabernik.\u00a0\u201cScientific Illustration for Blind and Visually Impaired \u2013 for a More Sustainable Society and What Design Can Do About It: A Case Study<\/em>\u201d, The Nineteenth International Conference on Design Principles and Practices, 25\u201327 February 2025, LASALLE College of the Arts Singapore<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Ilustriranje nevidnega: oblikovanje za vklju\u010dujo\u010do dru\u017ebo \/ Illustrating the Invisible: Towards an Inclusive Society for Blind and Partially Sighted<\/em>, 16 October 2025,\u00a0Pretorska pala\u010da v Kopru <\/em>[Praetorian Palace in Koper], book presentation with round table<\/strong>. Participants: dr. Mateja Maljevac, prof. dr. Petra \u010cerne Oven, Ale\u0161 Sedmak. Moderated by dr. Aksinja Kermauner. In collaboration with\u00a0Dru\u0161tvo Kaverljag<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0Zavod za mladino, kulturo in turizem Koper<\/em>\u00a0[Institute for Youth, Culture and Tourism Koper].<\/p>\n

Prezelj, Tim. Presentation of workshops within the\u00a0Kaverljag Summer School<\/em>, Design Meetup Conference<\/strong>:\u00a0Wra\u017cliwcy (The Sensitive Ones) \u2013 On Design that Connects<\/em>, 23 October 2025, Galerija Podbrzezie, Krak\u00f3w, Poland.<\/p>\n

Sedmak, Ale\u0161. Me\u0111unarodna ljetnja \u0161kola Kaverljag \u2013 umjetni\u010dko-ekolo\u0161ki i obrazovni projekat<\/em> [International Kaverljag Summer School \u2013 an artistic, ecological and educational project], Ki – korak naprej [KI \u2013 a step forward] creative industries event, Kotor, Montenegro, 31 October\u20132 November 2025.<\/p>\n

Ana Turi\u010dnik, Leon Rojk \u0160tupar, Gaj Ku\u0161ar \u2013 participation in guided expert tours<\/strong> of\u00a0\u00bbNovembra smo II.<\/em>\u00ab, UL Faculty of Arts, Ljubljana, 19 November 2025.<\/p>\n

Ko znanost postane otipljiva: Ilustriranje nevidnega: oblikovanje za vklju\u010dujo\u010do dru\u017ebo <\/em>[When Science Becomes Tangible: Illustrating the Invisible: Design for an Inclusive Society], presentation of the scientific monograph<\/strong> with a round table<\/strong>, inclusion of blind and partially sighted participants, typhlopedagogues, and illustrators, including live demonstrations and testing<\/strong> of 3D-printed tactile illustrations.\u00a0Slovenski knji\u017eni sejem<\/em> [Slovenian Book Fair], 25 November 2025.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Awards<\/strong><\/p>\n

Nagrada ED.VITA<\/em> [ED.VITA Award], a national recognition for sustainable initiatives and practices in higher education (NAKVIS, MVZI, MOPE): main award in the Research and Innovation category, 2026.<\/p>\n

IIID Award, International Institute for Information Design, Vienna, Austria; PERFORMANCE Award in the category Social Affairs, 29. 5. 2026.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Other Media Publications<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dru\u017ebena trajnost: morski organizmi za slepe in slabovidne <\/em>[\u201cSocial Sustainability: Marine Organisms for the Blind and Partially Sighted\u201d],\u00a0Marketing magazin, 28 July 2024.<\/p>\n

Kaj gledam, kaj vidim, Slovenske novice\u00a0<\/em>(STA), 11 September 2024.<\/p>\n

V Izoli odprtje razstave za osebe z motnjami vida<\/em> [Exhibition Opening for People with Visual Impairments in Izola], RTV SLO, 9 October 2024.<\/p>\n

Melita Kontrec,\u00a0Kaj gledam, kaj vidim: \u017divljenje pod morsko gladino za osebe z motnjami vida<\/em>, MMC RTV SLO, 2024.<\/p>\n

STA, Dela s poletne likovne \u0161ole Kaverljag razstavljena prilagojeno osebam z motnjami vida<\/em> [Works from the Kaverljag Summer Art School Exhibited in Adapted Form for People with Visual Impairments], 10 September 2024.<\/p>\n

Dela s \u0161ole Kaverljag razstavljena in prilagojena osebam z motnjami vida<\/em>,\u00a0Primorske novice, 11 September 2024.<\/p>\n

Mednarodna poletna \u0161ola Kaverljag: Morski organizmi za slepe in slabovidne <\/em>[International Kaverljag Summer School: Marine Organisms for the Blind and Partially Sighted],\u00a0KULturnica, August 2024.<\/p>\n

Podcast\u00a0Na robu teme je svetloba <\/em>[At the Edge of the Theme There Is Light], 6 October 2025 and 9 February 2026, produced by\u00a0Medob\u010dinsko dru\u0161tvo slepih in slabovidnih Nova Gorica<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Neva Zajc,\u00a0Znanstvena monografija <\/em>[Scientific Monograph], Radio Koper, 20 October 2025.<\/p>\n

Lea \u0160irok,\u00a0Pol ure kulture <\/em>[Half an Hour of Culture], Radio Koper, 23 October 2025.<\/p>\n

Neva Zajc, Razstava<\/em> [Exhibition], Radio Koper, 14 October 2024.<\/p>\n

Sonja Pungertnik,\u00a0Lu\u010d v temi <\/em>[Light in the Darkness], Radio Ognji\u0161\u010de, 14 December 2025.<\/p>\n

Nedeljska reporta\u017ea<\/em> [Sunday Report], Petra Medved, Taktilna znanstvena ilustracija za slepe in slabovidne<\/em> [Tactile Scientific Illustration for the Blind and Partially Sighted], Radio Slovenija, 11 January 2026.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

Project leads:<\/strong>
\n– Marija Nabernik Bratu\u0161, Petra \u010cerne Oven (Academy of Fine Arts and Design, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia)
\n– Ale\u0161 Sedmak (Kaverljag Society, \u0160marje, Slovenija)<\/p>\n

Project partners:<\/strong>
\n– Academy of Fine Arts of Bari (Accademia di Belle Arti di Bari), Bari, Italy
\n– Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design \u2013 MOME (Moholy-Nagy M\u0171v\u00e9szeti Egyetem), Budapest, Hungary
\n– Faculty of Art, University of the National Education Commission (Wydzia\u0142 Sztuki,
\nUniwersytet Komisji Edukacji Narodowej w Krakowie), Krakow, Poland
\n– Academy of Arts and Culture in Osijek (Akademija za umjetnost i kulturu u Osijeku), Osijek, Croatia
\n– Center of Illustration (Center ilustracije), Ljubljana, Slovenia<\/p>\n

Participating institutions:<\/strong>
\n– Union of the Blind and Partially Sighted of Slovenia (UBPSS)
\n– National Institute of Biology (NIB)
\n– Marine Biology Station Piran, Slovenia
\n– Faculty of Education, University of Primorska (Pedago\u0161ka fakulteta, Univerza na Primorskem), Slovenia
\n– Koper Intermunicipal Association of the Blind and Partially Sighted (MDSSK)<\/p>\n

Mentors:<\/strong>
\n– Assoc. Prof. Mag. Marija Nabernik Bratu\u0161, Academy of Fine Arts, University of Ljubljana
\n– Prof. Dr. Petra \u010cerne Oven, Academy of Fine Arts, University of Ljubljana
\n– Assoc. Prof. Mag. Zora Stan\u010di\u010d, Academy of Fine Arts, University of Ljubljana
\n– Assoc. Prof. L\u00e1szl\u00f3 Nagy, Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design (MOME), Budapest
\n– Prof. Dr. Magdalena \u017bmijowska, Faculty of Art, University of the National Education Commission, Krakow
\n– Assoc. Prof. Art. Miran Bla\u017eek, Academy of Arts and Culture in Osijek
\n– Ale\u0161 Sedmak, academic painter, president of the Kaverljag Society<\/p>\n

Guest lecturers:<\/strong>
\n– Prof. Dr. Lech Kolasi\u0144ski, Faculty of Art, University of the National Education Commission, Krakow
\n– Mag. Tim Prezelj, Faculty of Education, University of Ljubljana
\n– Prof. Antonio Rollo, Academy of Fine Arts of Bari
\n– Dr. Claudio Batelli, Faculty of Education, University of Primorska, Education Institute of the Republic of Slovenia, Koper
\n– Dr. Mateja Maljevac, Faculty of Education, University of Primorska, Koper<\/p>\n

Participants:<\/strong>
\n– Academy of Fine Arts and Design, University of Ljubljana: Matev\u017e Bervar, Zoja \u010cepin, Damir Omi\u0107, Ana Turi\u010dnik
\n– Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana: Gaj Ku\u0161ar, Leon Rojk \u0160tupar
\n– Academy of Arts and Culture in Osijek: Leo Pavlovi\u0107, Nata\u0161a Taka\u010d, Stella Perica, Katarina Kov\u010dalija, Rea \u010condri\u0107, Petra Kordi\u0107
\n– Faculty of Art, University of the National Education Commission, Krakow: Julia Polak, Agnieszka Stec, Emilia Wa\u015bniowska
\n– Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design, Budapest: Beatrix Zsiros, Patrik Pauer, Zia Gr\u00e9ta Pint\u00e9r<\/p>\n

Financing:<\/strong>
\n– Development Pillars for Funding \u201cStudent Projects for Sustainable Development: B.II.3\u201d (Developing and Strengthening Cooperation in Transnational Interinstitutional Learning Communities) and \u201cPromoting the Inclusion of NonTraditional\/Privileged Groups in Higher Education (S.C.1.3)\u201d.
\n– Research Programme P5-0452, Visual Literacy at the University of Ljubljana, Academy of Fine Arts and Design, co-funded by the Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency (ARIS).
\n– Some segments of the project were co-financed by the Arts Council of the University of Ljubljana.
\n– The project was supported by the Municipality of Koper.
\n– The project was awarded funding from the UL Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts Fund (UL SSHA Fund) in 2025.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

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