Deutschschweizer Basisschrift was initially developed as the typeface Luzerner Basisschrift (2011) by Hans Eduard Meier as a result of his effort to develop the teaching program Unterwegs zur persönlichen Handschrift, or On the way to personal handwriting, which he initiated in the aughts. The design was rechristened by the Konferenz der kantonalen Erziehungsdirektorinnen und -direktoren, or Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education (EDK), in 2014 when they adopted it as part of the official Lehrplan 21 curriculum.
This model begins with “print-like” writing in the first grade. Teachers guide students so they can begin forming connections between letters gradually and spontaneously from the third grade onwards. It is notable, though, that this process is conducted without the introduction of an explicit cursive script.
Sample pages of Deutsch Eins, Schreibheft exercise book. LMVZ – Lehrmittelverlag Zurich, 2024. (LMVZ team, 2024)
This model is noted for its emphasis on personal flexibility, and its simple, optimised hand movements that promote fluidity and ease. The letterforms are tall and narrow, and feature oval foundational forms.
