| Title | TOUCHABLE INK |
| Brand | THAI SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS / THAI ASSOCIATION OF THE BLIND |
| Product / Service | TOUCHABLE INK |
| Category | F02. Well-being, Environmental Impact & Solution |
| Entrant | J. WALTER THOMPSON BANGKOK, THAILAND |
| Idea Creation | J. WALTER THOMPSON BANGKOK, THAILAND |
| PR | J. WALTER THOMPSON BANGKOK, THAILAND |
| Production | THE FILM FACTORY Bangkok, THAILAND |
| Name | Company | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Matt Eastwood | J.Walter Thompson New York | Global Chief Creative Officer |
| Lo Sheung Yan | J.Walter Thompson Shanghai | Chairman, APAC Creative Council |
| Satit Jantawiwat | J.Walter Thompson Bangkok | Chief Creative Officer |
| Parattajariya Jalayanateja | J.Walter Thompson Bangkok | Managing Director |
| Supachai Toemtechatpong | J.Walter Thompson Bangkok | Creative Director |
| Nopharit Dusadeedumkoeng | J.Walter Thompson Bangkok | Associate Creative Director |
| Charnpanu Suchaxaya | J.Walter Thompson Bangkok | Art Director |
| Hansa Wongsiripitack | J.Walter Thompson Bangkok | SEA Director of Digital |
| Pakrudee Yongsuvimol | J.Walter Thompson Bangkok | Brand Team Leader |
| Bhasit Pattanapan | J.Walter Thompson Bangkok | Group Account Director |
| Ponpat Rachatamutha | J.Walter Thompson Bangkok | Project Manager |
| Prin Thanapisitikul | J.Walter Thompson Bangkok | Communication Planner |
| Pichet Rujivararat | J.Walter Thompson Bangkok | Graphic Designer |
| Ronnatouch Pomee | J.Walter Thompson Bangkok | Digital Technology Manager |
| Jiraporn Channawach | J.Walter Thompson Bangkok | Agency Producer |
| Panrutai Amattayakul | J.Walter Thompson Bangkok | Secretary to CCO |
| Nattianan Vanichchanant | J.Walter Thompson Bangkok | Head of PR |
| Pinjavee Rienmora | J.Walter Thompson Bangkok | PR Executive |
| Pen-ek Ratanaruang | The Film Factory Ltd. | Director |
| Rewat Vorarat | The Film Factory Ltd. | Executive Producer |
| Phuangphaka Rutimanon | The Film Factory Ltd. | Producer |
| Nittaya Tanprasitwat | The Film Factory Ltd. | Editor |
| Chankit Chamnivikaipong | The Film Factory Ltd. | Director of Photography |
| Arthur Lam | The Post Bangkok | Colorist |
| Chattawat Eaumkeb | Wild At Heart Co., Ltd. | Sound Designer |
| Kanin Upanun | Wild At Heart Co., Ltd. | Audio Engineer |
| Amornbhong Methakunvudh | Wild At Heart Co., Ltd. | Music Producer |
| Patthamon Pongchaiprasert | Wild At Heart Co., Ltd. | Music Arranger |
Turn the normal laser printer to be braille-embossed printer and make the blind people be able to print braille documents by themselves and read at home with no limitation. To make this happen, Touchable Ink, the world-first printing ink invented exclusively for blind people is the game changer.
Samsung, the Chemistry professor from Thammasat University and Thailand Association of the Blind are collaborating to research, develop and have come up with innovative solution called “Touchable Ink” by adding embossing powder to the laser printing ink through chemical process. The users just simply replace the Touchable Ink cartridge to the current one, change the selected document to braille font type, print out and heat it with normal household heating devices like microwave or hair dryer. This special link will dilate and give an embossed effect, just like it’s printed out from the braille embosser and allow the blind people to be able to read by their fingers. We are now at the beginning of the journey, working hard is still in progress but we never stop and aim to complete it to give the life opportunity to all blind people.
The first test on printed papers with touchable ink have been done with the selected visually impaired samplings from Thailand Association of Blind, more than 90% of them said it’s readable and no different from braille embosser’s one. With this innovation, they said it will help improve their quality of living since they can be independent and live on their own freely, no need to wait for help from others. However, this is just the very beginning of the journey. We aim to develop and release it out to market as soon as possible. We hope it will significantly revolutionize how Braille text and drawings are produced when it’s no longer needed the expensive machine and paper and allow everyone to be able to access freely.
Samsung, as the leading company in Consumer Electronics & Innovation in the world, what we always do is to make things that can change the better living for people in the society under our belief “Accelerating Discoveries and Possibilities”. Touchable Ink is not just an advertising message but it’s a key for visually impaired people to unlock their barrier and free their visualization to be able to read and learn the world by themselves.