By Katy B. Olson
Designjunction will host the first-ever “Dyslexic Design,” an exhibit that delves into the links between dyslexia and creativity. With the support of the British Dyslexia Association, the fair will celebrate dyslexic designers’ work over five days during September’s London Design Festival. Founded by U.K. designer Jim Rokos, the exhibition intends to highlight the positive impact of dyslexia and also to address the stigma associated with it. Ten-plus designers with dyslexia who practice across disciplines including home decor, fine art, fashion, product and more, will showcase their work in a temporary exhibition. Designers currently confirmed include Rokos, Sebastian Bergne, Terence Woodgate, Kristjana S Williams, Tom Raffield, Tina Crawford, Rohan Chhabra and Vitamin.
“It is my belief that I am able to design the way I do because of my dyslexia and not despite it,” says Rokos. “I also firmly believe that other dyslexic designers have idiosyncratic styles because of their dyslexia. I am delighted Designjunction shares my vision and desire to remove the unwanted and unwarranted stigma sometimes associated with dyslexia, and in doing so, change perceptions of it. We believe dyslexia is something that drives and inspires creative thought and design.”
Designjunction will, over September 22-25 in its new location of Granary Square at King’s Cross, host debates on design education and the connections between dyslexia and lateral thinking as well as between dyslexia and visual thinking.
The organization points out, “Dyslexic designers’ work is enriched with the unexpected, made possible by the thinking of a dyslexic mind. For the first time, many of these designers are openly talking about the challenges they face in their career paths, with many of their work also demonstrating unusual three-dimensional thinking.”
Designjunction’s managing director, Deborah Spencer, says, “This is a subject matter very close to my heart. I had grown up with dyslexia, and I believe it played an integral part in leading me down the path of art and design. In some respects, this has defined me as a person. It is a great pleasure to support this brilliant project.”
Proceeds from the curated exhibition will benefit the British Dyslexia Association.
