While working with the laser cutter on other projects, I decided to create some etched Braille and examine the quality we could achieve using a machine not necessarily set up for “Braille Etching”. I wanted to create something playful but substantial, some kind of toy that worked on a sense I had not worked with before, namely balance. I ended up creating a “seesaw” with little wooden weights on each end. This meant that while reading the etched Braille a user had to be careful not to press too hard, as tipping the seesaw to much one way would result in the weights falling off.
The version I created only says “balance” but as the design is relatively simple, I could easily create multiple replacement top sections, each with a different word to read. I could also create wider hole sections to make the seesaw more unstable and therefore harder to read without tipping. This means that you could have “harder” words for those who want the game aspect to be more of a challenge.
This piece was done on a whim, but I really enjoyed the concept and I feel that the execution is already pretty strong. While I don’t wish to pursue this as a commercial game for the blind, I am incredibly happy to have created a game concept unique to the medium of Braille, a game aimed at Braillists where sight actually removes the fun and challenge of the game.
The etched Braille itself is adequate but not exceptional. I would have preferred the etching to be deeper and I realise that “hard” etching results in a cylindrical rather than domed Braille. At this height the hard edge isn’t really noticeable even when read by touch, but it is certainly something that would have to addressed I wanted to use this laser cutter for Braille etching in the future.
Realistically any Braille done this way would have to be sanded into domes, which is less than ideal as I will lose both height and consistency. Yet I know high quality etched Braille already exists and what’s more it is widely available commercially. If I were to use etching again it would probably be better to pay for specialist work rather than sanding down, sacrificing convenience and control for a higher quality Braille.
The version I created only says “balance” but as the design is relatively simple, I could easily create multiple replacement top sections, each with a different word to read. I could also create wider hole sections to make the seesaw more unstable and therefore harder to read without tipping. This means that you could have “harder” words for those who want the game aspect to be more of a challenge.
This piece was done on a whim, but I really enjoyed the concept and I feel that the execution is already pretty strong. While I don’t wish to pursue this as a commercial game for the blind, I am incredibly happy to have created a game concept unique to the medium of Braille, a game aimed at Braillists where sight actually removes the fun and challenge of the game.
The etched Braille itself is adequate but not exceptional. I would have preferred the etching to be deeper and I realise that “hard” etching results in a cylindrical rather than domed Braille. At this height the hard edge isn’t really noticeable even when read by touch, but it is certainly something that would have to addressed I wanted to use this laser cutter for Braille etching in the future.
Realistically any Braille done this way would have to be sanded into domes, which is less than ideal as I will lose both height and consistency. Yet I know high quality etched Braille already exists and what’s more it is widely available commercially. If I were to use etching again it would probably be better to pay for specialist work rather than sanding down, sacrificing convenience and control for a higher quality Braille.
