The Font Switch Project holds seminars and training sessions on information design that goes from "communicating" to "being understood."
This time, we will be focusing on presentation materials and sharing the voices of people who have learned how to use UD fonts and the know-how to do so.

 Akiko Taniguchi, Environmental Policy Division, Environmentally Advanced City Promotion Department, Kameoka City

How I discovered MORISAWA BIZ+

Taniguchi belongs to the Environmental Policy Division of the Environmentally Advanced City Promotion Department, where he is involved in various information dissemination activities, including creating flyers. Although he has no experience in public relations, his natural curiosity led him to start using UD fonts after attending a Morisawa seminar!Mr. Taniguchi took the courseClick here for the summary and report of the online seminar

The path to creating materials that "communicate": Adding emphasis to text makes it easier to convey information

It was great to be able to experience various theories through the assignments, such as the "jump rate" used to add emphasis to letters. 

For example, when it comes to presentation slides, if you keep the jump rate in mind, such as making the title the largest, the headings slightly larger, and the main text smaller, the information will be easier to read and the reader will be able to see it more easily. 

I also learned for the first time that the human eye moves in a "Z-shape" from left to right. It certainly makes sense when you think back to what we do every day, but if you place images on the left, where people's eyes tend to be drawn, and text on the right, it's easier for the viewer to grasp the information instantly.  

When I looked at the materials I created using these skills and compared them with materials I had created a year and a half ago, I was surprised at the difference (laughs).It's strange that I thought it was a good idea at the time. 

Universal design font designed to be easy to read for more people

At the seminar, we were able to learn not only layout know-how but also details about UD fonts.

Among them, the one that particularly resonated with me was the "UD Digital Textbook Font."  

The typeface used by children when they learn letters is a typeface called "textbook typeface," and "Textbook Typeface" was developed to make it easier for more children to learn.UD Digital Textbook Font" I remember being particularly impressed by the power of letters when I learned that the font is also effective for children with a condition known as dyslexia. After hearing about the background to its development at seminars and on Morisawa's YouTube channel, I thought it was a "gentle font" and fell in love with it.  

Be conscious of making sure that information is conveyed to the other person, rather than just one-sidedly transmitting information.

"Design is all about knowing the tricks," said public relations expert Sakuma, and I think he's right. Whether you know the 7:3 rule, jump ratios, UD fonts, condensed typefaces, etc. makes a huge difference.  

Furthermore, Mr. Sakuma, who is well aware of the actual situation of local governments, also said, "Alibi public relations is the same as not disseminating information at all." Local governments often include as much information as possible to avoid unnecessary trouble. However, when people see flyers or newsletters packed with information, it is difficult to understand the content... 

I learned that rather than a one-way communication like alibi public relations, it is just as important to always be conscious of "how can I get my message across to the other person?" as it is to use layout techniques. This is useful not only in work but also in everyday life, and I truly want the people around me to know this.