The Weight of Words

The WOW project set out to meet several objectives. Firstly, to define a model for how typography and traditional forms of print can be used as a powerful tool for adult education, intercultural ...

The WOW project set out to meet several objectives. Firstly, to define a model for how typography and traditional forms of print can be used as a powerful tool for adult education, intercultural learning and civic engagement. Secondly, to explore how local learning hubs, such as print museums, can enable informal learning opportunities and increased social inclusion. Thirdly, to develop a training program, with the input of specialised designers and typographers, to improve key skills in delivering adult education. Finally by encouraging innovative teaching methods in typography and print to make it more accessible for a wide range of learners. Throughout the project, the overarching objective was to remove any boundaries and difficulties in typography that makes it inaccessible for some learners. The project was a pilot for creating an adaptable and practical model or toolkit for print educators to best use digital means for hands-on educational approaches. Overall the Weight of words sought to develop forward looking learning centres, which take the focus of education out of the classroom and into the museum.

During the project's lifespan, three international workshops were held, one by each organisation. These workshops all included members of staff from the project partners, along with two or more practitioners, educators, designers or artists from each country. These workshops were used as an educational playground, developing and furthering ideas for future workshops and an educational toolkit. At the end of each 3-day workshop a feedback session was formed. After the workshops each of the partners held a multiplier event. These included between 5-10 adult learners from the local community. During these sessions a final lesson plan was tested and developed. Feedback was taken from the end of this, the partners evaluated the lesson plans and were able to develop a final learning tool, with a lesson plan and extra materials. The tools have been made available on the TYPA website and we are searching for further means to disseminate this knowledge, such as through a conference of printing museums in May 2024.

The project provided better training opportunities for educators and trainers within the partner organisations and the external participants in the workshops. The project connected with a wider group of adult learners, which are more inclusive and open to diverse needs - developing a model for educational purposes, which can be adapted for future projects. The project meant all four organisations connected with new audiences. Participants of the WOW multiplier events have returned to future educational and creative activities. We have developed a toolkit for educators, which has been designed and tested by a variety of users in Portugal, Estonia and Italy. Originally we aimed for 3 new workshops or lessons to be developed. We have created 6. This toolkit has been disseminated on our website, as well as through the ERASMUS+ portal. We plan also to take this to the next AEPM meeting, and into future EU projects which evaluate the role of museums in education. Since the project we have also developed long-term international collaborations, seeing members and participants exchange knowledge on digital printmaking tools.