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Tactile Jigsaw Puzzle

Top view of puzzle with all the pieces put together. The puzzle is tan with dark brown etching and is sitting on a bright purple background. Three-fourths view of box with the lid resting diagonally on top of the bottom. Three sides of the lid are visible: the etched lid, one side that says 'Tactile Jigsaw Puzzle by Laura Lachin', and one side that has two Braille labels.

Description:

I created a tactile jigsaw puzzle, a puzzle that can be completed solely by touch. Jigsaw puzzles are something that are almost entirely visual, making them very difficult or impossible for visually impaired people to complete. As such, I created this tactile jigsaw puzzle in order to help visually impaired adults complete a jigsaw puzzle independently.

To house the puzzle, I created a puzzle box that features text on two sides and Braille labels on two sides of both the box top and bottom. The sides with Braille correspond with the text on the adjacent side to the left. All text has a Braille equivalent.

This project was created as my semester-long senior project during my last semester at NYU, in Spring 2024.

Click here to view my process blog.

Project Details:

  • Top design is entirely tactile and high contrast
  • Piece connectors are varying shapes (i.e. some are stars, some are squares, etc) in order to help with sorting and to ease puzzle difficulty
  • Each connector is unique in order to prevent false fits
  • Puzzle has 54 pieces and is approximately 10" x 7" x 1/8"
  • Box is approximately 6" x 4" x 2.5"

Fabrication Details:

  • Designed top design and piece shapes in Adobe Illustrator
  • Fabricated by laser cutting 1/8" birch plywood
  • Sanded the edges and tops of all pieces, as well as the edges of the box, to prevent splinters and sharp corners
  • Sealed tops of pieces using satin polyurethane spray
  • Created Braille labels using an Embosser

Additional Images

Closeup of the puzzle with all pieces put together. The depth of the etching is very appartent. Top view of box with the lid resting diagonally on top of the bottom. Closeup of one of the box bottom sides with Braille. Side view of box with the lid resting diagonally on top of the bottom. The closest sides of both the box lid and bottom read 'Tactile Jigsaw Puzzle by Laura Lachin'. Three-fourths view of box with the lid resting diagonally on top of the bottom. In view are the box lid side that reads 'Windy Spring Day 54 Pieces' and one of the box bottom sides with Braille. Closeup of four Braille labels, two on the box lid and two on the box bottom.