Does typography influence the reading experience of children?
Do children need special typefaces?
What are the most appropriate Sinhala typefaces for children?
These are some of the questions that are commonly overlooked when designing children’s books in Sri Lanka. Yet, this, as well as many of the other shortcomings have fortunately been identified as needing special attention in the literary arts of Sri Lanka by IBBY.
The International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) is a non-profit organization that represents an international network of people from all over the world who are committed to bringing books and children together. IBBY represents countries with well-developed book publishing and literacy programs, and other countries with only a few dedicated professionals who are doing pioneer work in children’s book publishing and promotion.
On 26th January 2019, a workshop on TYPOGRAPHY FOR CHILDREN’S LITERATURE was organized by IBBY SRI LANKA to raise awareness on how to design children’s story books and the use of Sinhala typography.
Dr. Sumanthri Samarawickrama, Pathum Egodawatta, and Rashandi Vihara Porambage, representing Akuru Collective and the Department of Integrated Design, University of Moratuwa contributed to the event as resource persons. The event was held at Sri Lanka Print Media Academy with the participation of a group of 25 enthusiast graphic designers, writers, and illustrators.
“This is the start of a long journey towards helping children have books that communicate to them, rather than books published for mear economic benefit,” said Dr. Samarawickrama while adding her experience on the success of the workshop.
