Bringing Literacy to Life with AR: Interview with Renee Seward Nettle

At the University of Cincinnati’s College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning, Endowed Professor Renee Seward Nettle is exploring how design and technology can transform the way we learn to read. Known for her work developing patented literacy fonts and tools for readers of all ages—including struggling readers— Renee has recently turned to augmented reality with Artivive to make her research more tangible, interactive, and inspiring.

When Renee was awarded a lab space in the UC Digital Futures building, she knew she wanted a centerpiece that could showcase her team’s literacy fonts in action. Around the same time, she discovered Artivive through designers Nicholas Medvescek and Jared Fleckner, who were using it in a mural project. “Once I saw their work, I realized Artivive would be an excellent way to demonstrate how the literacy fonts function while also creating an engaging, interactive experience for visitors to the lab”.

The result was a striking black-and-white mural in her research lab that comes alive through augmented reality. Visitors can point their phones at the wall and watch typography transform, revealing how literacy fonts can reshape the reading experience. “When the installation was complete, the results exceeded my expectations,” she says. “The interactive wall drew strong engagement on social media, and visitors responded with overwhelming enthusiasm.”

For Renee, AR has become more than just a creative tool; it’s a way to make complex research accessible to everyone. The mural is designed not only for students but also for educators, policymakers, and the general public. “It helps people understand the type of work our research lab is pursuing and inspires them to dream of new creative solutions around literacy,” she explains.

The reactions speak for themselves. “There is always a moment of surprise—often a gasp, smiles, and exclamations like, ‘Wow, I can’t believe this!’” Renee says. That spark of wonder opens the door to deeper conversations about the future of design and learning.

Her research is particularly impactful for people who struggle with reading. “The wall demonstrates how literacy fonts can support anyone who struggles to read in navigating their physical world whether that means using AR paired with the fonts to read environmental graphics or even something as critical as a medicine bottle,” she notes. The potential applications go far beyond the classroom, offering real-world solutions for readers of all ages.

So why Artivive? For Renee, the answer is simple: accessibility. “Artivive offers a quick, easy, and accessible way for designers to prototype experiential ideas for others to engage with and critique,” she explains. The ability to test ideas at full scale, in real time, has become a valuable teaching method. Students can visualize spatial relationships, scale, and user interactions in ways that traditional methods simply can’t replicate.

Looking ahead, Renee is excited to expand her work beyond the mural, with ideas like interactive flashcards for educators. Her advice for others exploring AR is simple: don’t be afraid to experiment. With her innovative blend of typography, literacy research, and AR, she shows how technology can make reading more accessible and engaging for everyone.