9 May 2009

Mencap font is world class

People with a learning disability helped to create the design.

The world’s first font for people with a learning disability has been chosen for inclusion in a record of the best work in advertising and design this year.

The font, named FS Me, was commissioned by Mencap as part of its 2008 rebranding work and will feature in the prestigious D&AD Annual 2009.

The Mencap font is the first to be designed in consultation with a group of people who have a learning disability. To create the font, the charity teamed up with leading font designer, Jason Smith at Fontsmith.

Lucie Brown, Mencap's creative manager, said: “We created this font to open up more opportunities for people with a learning disability. The Mencap font has been a real success, with lots of organisations seeing the benefits of accessible communication. We’re thrilled that it’s been recognised.”

D&AD is a not-for-profit organisation that represents the international design, advertising and creative communities. Each year, about 20,000 pieces of work are submitted to D&AD and the juries are known for being the toughest in the industry. The Mencap font was one of 717 entries that made it into the D&AD Annual and the only font.

You can buy FS Me on the Fontsmith website

Visit the D&AD website

For more information on the Mencap font email creative@mencap.org.uk or call 020 7696 5605