Frequently Asked Questions
This booklet aims to answer any queries regarding the development, usability and appearance of Perception. Talking points have been chosen from user focus groups and discussions with external collaborators; the Royal National Institute for the Blind, Henshaws Society for Blind People and Newcastle Society for Blind People.
Find the answers...
Audience
Experience
Context 4 Insight 6 Younger Demographic 8 The Platform 10 The Application 12 Social Network 14 Sharing Ideas 16 Stakeholders 18
Navigation 28 Preferences 30 Breadcrumb 32 Categories 34 Rating System 36 Instilling Longevity 38
Interface
Intent 40 Font 42 Entry Points 44 Future Potential 46 Validation 48
Flat UI v Realism 20 Layout 22 Colour Palette 24 Icons 26
Brand
Context “Why the blind?” A ‘Blind Person’ is a broad term that is often stereotyped. People believe that if you are blind you simply have no sight. However, visual impairments can vary dramatically and impact someones life in many different ways. The visually impaired (VI) can be isolated and feel that they have been taken advantage of. Personal motivation for this project came from a close family friend, who showed first hand the challenges he faces on a daily basis. Highlighting the flaws in aids given to him as well discussing the social barriers he has to overcome. This project aimed to empower the visually impaired through innovative design and to provide a better way of living for a wider population. 4
The Insight “What is the story behind Perception?” Perception was formed from one persons ‘life hack’. When discussing packaging and all the issues partially sighted people come across in a focus group, Maureen explained how she ties elastic bands around her shampoo bottles to differentiate between them. This sparked a conversation within the group, with others expressing their interest and enthusiasm to her idea. The group realised how their own methods could benefit someone else and eventually began to share their ideas with the others. So, why not create a platform to share these pieces of creativity? 6
The younger demographic “Are you only targeting a younger audience?� Visually impaired people of working age come into contact with a host of daily challenges, well-being and social difficulties that many sighted people never realise. Perception helps tackle the variety of everyday issues by developing a diverse community and creating awareness to ideas and solutions. This concept also has the ability to reach out to a wider audience, whether that be through a supportive family member or used as a tool to introduce them to technology, people can use this service to improve their daily living.
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The Platform “How does this platform help?� Advances in technology and the introduction of tablets, has revolutionised the visually impaired community. Now, well established in the community, tablets influence visually impaired peoples lives on a daily basis. In particular, Apple devices and the built in accessibility settings have brought together a range of disciplines and allowed them to function in a format that is highly accessible to the visually impaired, whilst being at a relatively affordable price.
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The Application “Why an App?� An App provides the opportunity to create an affordable, secure and structured service. As a portal to a social network, Perception offers a tailored service, connecting a diverse group of people. Websites can often be difficult to navigate, confusing users with too much choice, leading to mistakes. Perception incorporates the in-built accessibility settings on tablets and allows for a specific interface that is easy to interact with by touch control and voice recognition.
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Focus Groups “But, why not a product?� Through in-depth discussions with many visually impaired people, it was identified that Apps were simple to grasp and lend themselves to different levels of sight. Whilst across the UK, computer and in particular iPhone start up sessions are offered. Local charities encourage people of all ages to embrace technology as they provide a tactile entry point to new ways of living, such as having an email address or online shopping. The younger demographic have embraced technological aids and are open to the services technology can offer. An App gives the greatest opportunity to create a standardised platform for people to connect globally.
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The Social Network “Why wouldn’t I just use Facebook?” Social media provides a brief opportunity for people to share their thoughts in select social groups, but with Perception, the user experience has been considered with the visually impaired in mind. Using voice memos to personally connect with other users, allows a simple, two way discussion all within an accessible platform. ‘Info Sound’ is an example of an audio based service that shares news for the blind community, but like so many others, the CD is only available on a monthly subscription. Missing the opportunity to meet a wider population, as the majority of its audience are over the age of 40. Perception is the next step for the visually impaired. 14
Sharing Ideas “Why is sharing these ideas so important?� Creating awareness to available support and provide the opportunity for people to empower one another through everyday living are two of Perceptions main objectives. Encouraging users to upload and share their own rituals and methods is crucial to the success of the App. Focus has been placed on developing a service that allows people to easily access and contribute ideas. As well as understanding how users can engage with others and store valuable information, such as personal details and everyday advice.
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Stakeholders “Who is involved with Perception?� In their role to advise and support visually disadvantaged people to remain independent, the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) would be the main stakeholders of Perception. Independent organisations, such as educational and training providers, eye specialists and consultants would also play a part in directing potential users to the service. A small purchasing fee would help subsidise the App, whilst improving the user experience by reducing the need for advertising. Many partially sighted people argue against the price of living, but in comparison to the rest of market, have stated they would accept a small charge for Perception. 18
User Journey
Aims
Aware
Join
Use
Develop
• Introduce the service
• Create an accessible entry point
• Provide a platform to connect the VI community
• An opportunity to teach others and build a database
• Allow people to share, discuss and discover daily hacks and methods
• Contribute to further service and product developments
• Create awareness for the need to share knowledge
Leave
• Enable the VI to record and develop other peoples methods
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Physical Touchpoints
Website
Social Media
Sign up to Perception App as a VI member
Create a profile: name, avatar, thoughts
Word of Mouth
Clinics Opticians Support Workers
Sign up as a non VI user. (i.e. Mother)
Sign up as Consultant or Support Worker
Search audio data base for adaptive methods
Upload audio files to share your own methods
Create a profile. Watch an explanatory video
Talk with other users about issues and queries
Create a profile. Watch an explanatory video
Visually Impaired
Supportive Family Member
Campaign. Public. TV. Radio. Web. Specialist / Consultant
RNIB (Developers)
Externally develop App / Website
Develop public campaign
Accept new member to the VI community
Listen to a user tutorial video
Save other methods for future use
Develop your own method database
Develop social groups within the app
Contribute to RNIB talking points
Notified on new updates to your messages
Sign out of account. Return daily or when in need
Ask for support with a individual problem
Add to your own method database
Develop social groups within the app
Contribute to RNIB talking points
Notified on topics of your stated interest
Return with a question for the community
Search methods to improve personal knowledge
Add to the community with your own input
Add to your own method database
Develop social groups within the app
Contribute/ Monitor to RNIB talking points
Notified about topics relative to your field
Continue to use the service as an outside source
Moderate daily audio uploads
Moderate group messages
Develop first hand database
Advertise RNIB products and services
Suggest relative topics for further research
Issue notifications to users as reminders
Opportunity to analyse unique, user research.
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Upload news and ‘topical starters’
Share your opinions, methods and news
Be part of a friendly, social community
Flat UI v Realism “Which works best?� Since the introduction of touch screens, skeuomorphism, a realistic appearance, has been used to help people adapt to an interactive surface, taking over their everyday items such as a diary or alarm clock. Flat user interface design is seen as a much more legible and usable interface. The use of simple block colour, a uniformed style and minimalist display can be argued to be simpler and easier to understand. However both styles are still popular and widely used. Perception uses characteristics of both. The majority of the App is built on a clean and modern flat UI, with the minimal use of drop shadows to distinguish any intractable touch points. 20
Layout “How does this layout help the visually impaired?� Standardising key touch points, breaking down the structure of the App and supporting the use of simplistic gestures, gives users greater confidence when exploring and communicating within the App. The App is formatted into a 12x12 grid, with a bold title and a regular sub heading. Placement of commonly used controls has been considered, and users can understand and adapt to the interface efficiently.
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Inter-changeable touch points have been prioritized to the left and right sided control. Spacial awareness has also been considered as many of the VI, use the device to physically locate and navigate the App.
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Colour Palette “Do these work for everyone?� For the main theme, the colour palette has been developed to benefit people with colour blindness, with contrasting colours being the priority. The main palette of black and Midnight blue are used dominantly as they provide the greatest contrast with the white text and backdrop. The secondary palette has been selected to contrast with one another for any colour blindness, from Monochromacy to Anomalous Trichromacy. Each colour also works on screen with the Midnight blue to keep in tone with the brand guidelines. A gradient backdrop is also used to add depth to the App, similarly to the use of drop shadows on selectable icons. 24
Icons “Why are icons important for a visually impaired App?� As the App is designed for people varying in sight, certain users will appreciate the visual representation of categories. This gives a diverse and dynamic appearance as topics are later broken down into text based headings to summarize conversations. Using the bold icons on a contrasting backdrop allows for easy identification for individuals with some visual ability.
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Travel
Fashion
In the Kitchen
In the Bathroom
Communication
Date and Time
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Navigation “What if I struggle to see the icons?� Many user interfaces have touch based barriers for the visually impaired. Perception aims to break down these barriers using its 12x12 grid based system. Software depicts where on the grid users have pressed and auto-corrects the selection to closest choice.
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“How can I simply get from my profile to a conversation about...?” Perception is inspired by the notion of ‘eavesdropping’. Taking advantage of voice recognition and voice over, users navigate through topics, news feeds and conversations by sampling the opening voice memo and then deciding to either swipe to the next one or walk through the conversation.
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Preferences “Text size? Colour style? Zoom?� Perception welcomes users to define and customize their interface. This allows the App to appeal to a wider audience. In keeping with its simple structure, the App offers three options for text size, five interface themes and the option of Left or Right sided scrolling.
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The Breadcrumb Trail “Taking a step back isn’t as simple as it seems.” Making a mistake, going in the wrong direction or slowly realising you are at the wrong point can be a common occurrence for anyone visually impaired. However going back to a familiar point can be difficult to figure out. Perception offers a ‘Bread Crumb Trail’ which is easily accessible, offering the opportunity to quickly understand and change which stage of the App you are at.
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Below, the ‘Return’ breadcrumb trail. Displaying all your previous steps in Perception and offering a direct link to any level.
The five main levels of Perception; Home, Search, Topic, Conversation, Discuss. 33
Categorising “How do I find a conversation that I read earlier?” As the service will rely heavily on the audible database, organising and adding a discipline to the structure of the App gives a range of benefits. One time users can efficiently search for a particular solution. Returning users can ‘Favourite’ a conversation to listen to later when the time is appropriate. More able users will be able to navigate individual conversations, as each uploaded memo is required to be described as one of three options; Question, Idea or Solution, Feedback.
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The Rating System “How does judging a conversation help?” Users are encouraged to vote positively and share their opinion on an idea or the topic discussion. The most popular topics will be added to the ‘Trending Topics’ section, allowing users to create awareness to the best solutions.
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Rate It
Interesting
Good idea
Love it
Filtering these discussions allows others users to identify how people feel about ideas and quickly discover new methods or potential opportunities.
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Instilling Longevity “Why would I want to use this everyday?” Successful Apps provide a reason to return, encourage people to interact with the service again and add everyday user value. Perception uses daily notifications, reminding or informing users of relevant activity. A rating system that builds a ‘Trending Topics’ board to show the most popular discussions, as well as, an active news stream to keep users up to date with the latest products and services. Identifying peoples interest allows users to relate and engage with the concept, gradually nurturing them through the service and technology.
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Brand Intent “How does the brand support this concept?” The brand was developed to represent the three core principles of the service; • The community that it creates • The partially sighted people it supports • The diverse methods and ideas people develop. Perception is more than an App for the blind. It is a service that engages a community with professionals and instils positivity to people with visual impairments, evolving with anyone involved.
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The eye, standing for the visually impaired.
Slogan, implying a connected community
Staggered eye, representing the diversity in peoples approach to solving a problem.
Brand Image - Font “How does this font help?� Bariol, is a friendly San Sarif font, crafted for versatility and readability. The font is readable even at small scales and can be used as corporate typography, info-graphics and on editorial design. The slightly rounded typeface also meets suggested requirements set by the RNIB for text for blind and partially sighted people. Unlike suggestions such as Garamond and Futura, this font instils positivity and personality, highly suitable for social media.
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Logotype
Logotype Variations
Aa Typography Bariol Regular
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz 0123456789 .,?!()#@&%
Home Search Topics Upload Share Idea
Entry Points “How is Perception brought to market?� Perception, would be diverse in its marketing strategy, utilizing a range of entry points to attract attention from a wider audience. The RNIB have previously carried out campaigns through public advertising, which may seem unexpected, but is necessary to raise general awareness. Perception will have a similar process, with the addition of a social media campaign and radio broadcasts.
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Social Media An online presence and focussing awareness towards a younger demographic within VI social groups. This channel acts as a direct route to purchasing and downloading the application. Radio Advertising Commonly used, whether independently or through external sources such as BBC Radio 4’s In Touch. Perception will take advantage of the vast VI audience, using the opportunity to showcase particular users audio uploads and the accessible features of the App.
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Future Potential “How can this concept be developed?� Capitalising on the valuable data collected from Perceptions rating system, the RNIB and other organisations, could use this primary research to innovate or develop user centred products. The community can collaborate to inspire, discuss and develop products and services that they feel would benefit themselves and others.
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“How could this service work with other opportunities?”
“Could this do more for someone on a daily basis?”
‘Online Today’ is a National Lottery funded project spearheaded by the RNIB, aiming to educate and train over 125’000 people with basic computer skills to help with their daily living.
Engaging with individuals and discovering their interests, can help empower their daily lives in more ways than just sharing knowledge. This platform can be a tool for people to utilize. Whether that be a direct messenger service, an audio diary of their thoughts or a reminder service of important daily events. Perception has the potential to expand.
Perception can be incorporated into education programmes, with its friendly interface and unique navigational system. It can be used as a tool to encourage outsider users and convince them to get online. 47
Validation “What are your thoughts?”
“What are your thoughts?”
“Perception could be used to target people low in confidence with technology, and would certainly be of interest to people participating in ‘Online Today’ courses.”
“Your project really makes it easier for the visually impaired and I can see it being a valuable service. It doesn’t mark any user as different or disabled, it brings everyone to a level playing field.”
Robin Spinks, Principal Manager, Digital Accessibility at RNIB.
Eamonn Dunne, Development Manager, Henshaws Society for the Blind.
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Validation “What are your thoughts?”
“What are your thoughts?”
“The final idea is brilliant. I can imagine a lot of people putting their time into this and wanting to support people because it obviously works for us at the moment in this social group, and for that to be brought to a wider audience is great.”
“I think it would work well, especially for someone new to sight loss. I can see it helping them adapt to their problems a lot quicker.”
Elky, VI, Henshaws Society for the Blind.
Karen, VI, Henshaws Society for the Blind.
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Craig Priestman