A Celebration of Design: The Grand Prize Winner of the Rubyful Award 2026

Celebrating the Achievement of "I Want to Design Everyone's 'Readability' – I Am a Typeface Designer"

The children's book titled "I Want to Design Everyone's 'Readability' – I Am a Typeface Designer" has garnered significant acclaim by winning the Grand Prize at the Rubyful Award 2026. This award aims to honor books enhanced by furigana, which broaden access to reading for various audiences. It was presented on June 2nd, 2026, coinciding with Ruby Day, underscoring the importance of readability.

Published by Gakken, a subsidiary of Gakken Holdings based in Shinagawa, Tokyo, the book is authored by type designer Hiromi Takada. In accepting the award, Takada expressed her gratitude and shared insights into her experiences as a type designer. She revealed that the book incorporates the UD Digital Textbook Font, which was developed after extensive consultations with children and supporters facing reading challenges. The design endeavors to ensure legibility through careful considerations such as appropriate line spacing, restriction of character distortion, and maintaining close spacing between characters.

The Rubyful Award 2026

The Rubyful Award has been established to shed light on books that utilize furigana to make reading accessible to wider audiences. Works are selected based on their potential to foster a love for reading among children who face difficulties. The evaluation panel commended Takada's passion for creating a typeface that is aesthetically pleasing and functional. They recognized the book as an embodiment of universal design ethics, thus making it a stand-out choice for the Grand Prize.

About the Book

Takada's book is an engaging exploration of typefaces and their significance in our daily lives, especially the UD Digital Textbook Font. This font finds applications in educational materials, media captions, and various community publications, catering to children who struggle with visibility. This demand has led to its extensive use over the years.

The development of the UD Digital Textbook Font took eight years, reflecting a meticulous process involving repeated experimentation and feedback from individuals with visual impairments. As a result, it serves as a vital resource for both students with reading challenges and their peers.

This book signifies Takada's commitment to producing a typeface that leaves no one behind. Her conviction resonates with the evolving society characterized by diversity, providing a guiding light for future generations.

Readers from elementary school students to adults can appreciate the thoughtful presentation of universal design perspectives from a designer's angle through this text. Notably, the book has also been selected as a recommended reading for the 22nd Osaka Children’s Book Cover Creation Contest and the summer children's book promotion by schools.

Engaging Young Minds

The book starts with eye-catching colored pages that encourage children to reflect on the types of fonts present in their surroundings. This not only introduces them to the concept of universal design but fascinates them about typography.

Launched in 2017, the UD Digital Textbook Font has become a familiar sight for elementary school students as it is often featured in school communications. This engagement allows children to draw closer to understanding the principles of universal design.

Rich illustrations and photographs throughout the book elucidate typography and its importance in society. Takada’s conversational writing style makes it accessible while fostering a deeper understanding.

In today’s landscape where aspiring designers often look to merge creativity with social contributions, the book acts as a source of inspiration and guidance.

Author Profile

Hiromi Takada is a typeface designer and Brand Expert at Morisawa's UD division. After completing her university studies, she joined Type Bank, where she created beloved typefaces including the TB UD font series and the UD Digital Textbook Font. Currently, she actively promotes the importance of type in education through workshops, seminars, and writing inquiries.

As a testament to her impact, Takada received the Sato Takeyoshi Award in the individual category from the Japan Typography Association in 2024. Her book "Miracle Font: Understanding Children Who Cannot Read—The Development Story of the UD Digital Textbook Font" was published in 2023, further elevating her influence in the field.

Book Details

Title: I Want to Design Everyone's 'Readability' – I Am a Typeface Designer
Author: Hiromi Takada
Price: ¥1,760 (tax included)
Release Date: November 13, 2025
Format: A5 / 128 pages
Target Age: Elementary School Upper Grades
ISBN: 978-4-05-206160-8
Publisher: Gakken Inc.
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