Tact il
e En viron men tal S igna ge fo r Th e Vi sual ly Im pair ed
Pratt Institute Thesis Instructor: Jean Brennan WEI SHIOU CHOU
A Thesis in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science
School of Art and Design Pratt Institute May 2010
Environmental Signage for The Visually Impaired by WEI SHIOU CHOU
Received and Approved
Jean Brennan, Major Advisor
Date
Jeff Bellantoni, Chair
Date
Introduction
Section 1. Problems of Today
Section 2. Perceptions
Chapter 1. Malfunction of environmental signage
Chapter 2. Physical Sensor
1.1 ADA Laws and Braille signage
2.1 Touch
1.2 Identification
2.2 Hearing
1.3 Globalization
2.3 Sight
1.4 Misconstruction
2.4 Smell
1.5 Position and location
Content Section 3. Solution Chapter 3. Forming the orientation
Chapter 4. Tactile Graphic
3.1 The notion of position and distance
4.1 AIGA/DOT symbols
3.2 The notion of space and height
4.2 Principles
3.3 The notion of time
4.3 Width 4.4 Gap 4.5 Depth 4.6 Prototype 4.7 Experiments
Introduction “ The purpose of design is to solve
visual perception. Designers don’t
I will create prototypes of tactile en-
problems. “ Almost every designer
always consider combining the lo-
vironmental signage, and conduct
has learned this motto. In order to
cation and tactile activities in their
several experiments with sighted
complete the task, the designer is
design. Their visual senses have
people and the blind community. I
responsible to think and find the
been well trained, yet sometimes
plan to document the results. From
best solution often a visual one.
they lack the knowledge of tactile
this research, I hope to devise a
However, design has ignored the
behavior of the blind, and their re-
standard of creating tactile environ-
needs of the visually impaired; as
lationship to human space. Hence,
mental signage.
a result, designing solutions are
contemporary tactile signage such
either inconsiderate or inappropri-
as Braille doesn’t satisfy the needs
ate. In other words, designers are
of its users successfully. Through
cognitively thinking with their eyes;
understanding tactile perception of
frequently the solutions for the blind
the visually impaired and their dif-
are arbitrary or subjective.
ferent perceptions of information
While
environmental
signage
is
collection, I hope to offer effective
providing to help inform and guide
responses toward the specific need
the blind, the blind have difficulty
of the blind and also a new way
using the environmental signage
leads to a successful communica-
to orientate themselves in physi-
tion: Tactile Graphic.
cal space. Design is biased toward
Section 1. Problems of Today
Chapter 1. Malfunction of environmental signage
In the modern city, our constructed environment is vast, both horizontally and vertically. The increase of complex living environments urges the need for resolution. Effective environmental design, which may reduce the challenge of way-finding, leads people to their destination effortlessly. However, contemporary environmental signage cannot satisfy the needs of the blind because it is poorly designed.
1.1 ADA Laws and Braille Signage:
lines. In order to attain the license
Therefore, taking Braille signage as
After launching Americans with Dis-
of architecture, the building must
the only solution is inappropriate.
abilities Act (ADA) in 1990 , Braille
comply with ADA provisions. However,
Compared with the recognizable
, a form of written language for the
there are several problems suggesting
global non-smoking and rest room
blind, is the standard signage for the
Braille signage may not be the only
sign, the Braille sign cannot circulate
visual impaired. The public spaces
solution. Braille sign cannot adapt
widespread. The sign doesn’t solve
such as hospitals, public transporta-
globally because it is different from
the problem; on the other hand, it
tion, and government buildings have
country to country. Every country
often creates another barrier to the
to install the restricted devices follow-
develops its own Braille sign system
visually impaired. Next, people are
ing the instructions of the ADA guide-
according to the phonetic differences.
living longer than before. Some el-
derly blind have never learned Braille. Additionally, their nerve sensibilities are decreasing. Their hands may not be able to detect the subtle changing of dots. Once the blind getting old, not only are they losing their sensors of sight, but also their tactile ability. Therefore, the tiny tactile dots may not be the best answer to the problem.
1.2 Identification:
tion. From a logistical standpoint, it’s
space. If the signage combines the
Following Americans with Disable
easier to match the requirements by
number and the room functions, the
Act Guidelines, in public spaces the
simply providing the number; yet, it
user may be able to grasp the mes-
permanent rooms such as confer-
causes problems of confusion and
sage immediately.
ence room and classrooms are
ambiguity to the blind. The number
required to install Braille. In order
of room doesn’t represent the utility
to comply with the ADA provisions,
of a space. As a result, the signage
the designer numbers those spaces
doesn’t communicate successfully.
instead of providing the room func-
The signage should contain more information to communicate the
1.3 Globalization:
adhesive falling off. (Yong Chong Lee,
The best signage does not communi-
p. 69) For sight people, all Braille
cate through words, rather it should
signs look similar so it’s difficult to
communicate intuitively through
tell the differences. Those subtle
simple icon, symbol, or illustration.
changes of the dots are obscure
However, most environmental signage
and hard to recognize because sight
is appointing Braille as the main
people are not familiar with Braille.
practice for the visually impaired,
They are not as sensitive as the blind
which leads to limitation of the us-
toward the changes of the dots.
age. Braille is the writing system for
Therefore, the mistakes are often
the blind, and every country has their
made without notice.
own versions according to different phonetics systems. In other words, Braille signs are not international. As a result, using Braille on the environmental signage as the only indication of purpose is limiting the treatment. In contrast, by using a symbol, international readers are able to acquire the information. Even if they do not know the language systems, they can understand the message. 1.4 Misconstruction: Environmental signage is often being done wrong because the designer lacks the knowledge of Braille. The most common problems are reversing the signage, content error, and in the case of paper application with
1.5 Position and location: For the visually impaired, most signage is too high to touch. Its placement should follow the most comfortable tactile area in height; in particularly, hands are the perceptional sensors to the blind. In reviewing the problem of environmental signage, I found that improper height is the most serious. It forces the visually impaired to lift up their hand to touch, which some consider humiliating. While young, the visually impaired are often taught not to explore the surrounding by raising both of their hands in order not to expose their disability in public. Designers should avoid putting the users into such an
Indecent location of the signage
awkward situation.
leads the users to the wrong direction. Hull, shared his deprived experience on the Internet. One day in the store, he found a restroom Braille sign, which he followed. However, the signage was too far from the destination; as a result, he spent too much time to get to the restroom. The signage didn’t provide a better solution; worst it disturbed the user by confusing their judgments.
Summary:
Designers are often concerned with
On the other hand, sighted people
the need of the majority, sighted
and the visually impaired use
people. By simply complying with
totally different senses to navigate
the regulations, designers don’t take
the world, but designers provide the
blind people into consideration dur-
same solutions: the visual signage. It
ing the design process, which leads
is very obvious that the environmen-
to new problems. On the other hand,
tal signage today is inadequate. The
ADA Guidelines doesn’t provide a
visually impaired are forced to lift
better solution for the blind. ADA
up their hands to touch signage. It is
ought to set up a series of standards
just like sitting on a table while eat-
regarding signage and typographic
ing on a chair. It does work, but does
usages; they should work to solve the
it work efficiently? Designers should
problems between design and the
not only consider signage height for
visually impaired. However, the
sighted people, but also for other
inflexible provisions limit possibilities
people who adapt the information
of better solutions.
from other senses.
Section 2. Perceptions
Chapter2. Physical Sensor
Toucth Hearing Sight Smell
Section 2. Perceptions
Chapter2. Physical Sensor
Toucth Hearing Sight Smell
Sensing the world through touch The blind cannot see physical
item, they will use their hand to feel
objects, so how do they know what
its shape from the smallest area to
is happening in their surroundings?
the biggest area. (Zhang-yu Chou,
Their sense of touch becomes their
p.15) Gradually, the image of the
eyes to understand the shape of
item is constituted in their mind.
the world. Without visual help, they
For instance, when exploring a new
adapt the ability of utilizing other
place, they touch the wall from one
senses. After being trained in “seeing
spot to another to estimate its scale,
through touch;” their fingers have
so thus understanding how big the
become one of their major sensory
room is. Also they might recognize
organs to “visualize” the tangible
a desk by differentiating the trait of
items.
its shape through touch. Is it a round
Unlike the way sighted people see
or square item? How big is it? Is it
things as a whole, people who are
smooth or rough? As they gather the
blind perceive things by moving from
clues step by step, they are able to
the smallest detail to whole through
indentify the object.
touch. When the blind are given an
Most sighted people use their eyes as an advantage to receive messages. Although sight reduces the time it takes to get information, it allows for distraction from background light, shadows, colors, forms and perspectives. The more information that is taken in, the more difficult it is to pay close attention to any one specific detail. (Zhang-yu Chou, p.75) In contrast, sense of touch is a constant and active converter to the blind to investigate the world.
Using the hands to maintain focus Without the distraction of sight, the
touch, touch is more reliable.
doing the laundry, they would turn
blind are able to maintain a strong
In addition, blind people employ
their clothing inside out or button up
concentration. For example, one time
their hands to stay focused to
some of the buttons as a signal that
Weihenmayer was playing Hide and
overcome problems from daily life.
it is their clothing. In this way, they
Seek with his friends. He quickly
In order to live independently, the
are able to differentiate their clothing
walked into a forest but no one could
blind develop several tactile us-
from others.
find him because in the dark he could
ages responding to challenges from
move faster than sighted children. [1]
their life. For instance, while filling
Although sight has its conveniences
a glass with water, they would use
such as instantaneousness and com-
their hands directly to feel how full
pleteness, it is deeply influenced by
the glass is. They put their fingers
the circumstances of the surround-
on the edge of the cup so that they
ings. Comparing the sense of sight to
know when to stop. Similarly, while
Touch and texture craving of the mind.
block the ability of a blind person to
different from sighted people to the
In contrast to this, the blind use the
perceive the shape of an object due
blind. Whether or not sighted people
sense of touch to see the physical
to a sensory overload. In brief, sight-
touch a thing is often determined by
world. They touch an object to know
ed people and blind people touch
its shape or texture. They use their
its size, shape, and texture, and then
things for different purposes. Sighted
hands to feel it because they want to
they are able to recognize what kind
people touch a thing to respond to
comprehend the sensation that they
of object they are touching. Is it a
what they see with a tangible feeling,
have seen. It often happens with an
telephone or a cell-phone? The sense
but the blind touch a thing to distin-
object that is full of material quality
of touch holds more functional pur-
guish the object itself.
or has a particular form such as, a
pose. However, too much texture on
fur coat, a piece of silk, or a shapely
a single object may interfere with the
glass vase. (Zhang-yu Chou, p.15.35)
ability of the blind to recognize it.
By doing so, the perceptions of sight
To a blind person intense texture is
and touch can reinforce each other
like a bright flashlight shined into the
and unify each other, satisfying the
eyes of a sighted person. It would
The urge to touch an object is very
Touch as evidence of being present To the blind, touch is an approach
in their bag. (Zhang-yu Chou, p.59)
that makes a self-conscious being
The reaction of body movement is a
aware of living in the moment. The
substantial confirmation of the func-
sense of touch is adaptor to receive
tion of the brain. The blind might not
and transfer data from an object
be aware of their behavior; nonethe-
through a conceptual interpretation
less, still tactile ability has become
to the mind. As they touch an object,
a means of subconscious thought as
they evoke the function of releasing
proof of being alive.
the feelings through touch. Touch has become an anonymous spirit of existing. For example, many blind people have the same habitual gesture while waiting for their friends on the street. To kill time the intuitively touch their wallet or handkerchief
Section 2. Perceptions
Chapter2. Physical Sensor
Toucth Hearing Sight Smell
Using sound to “see” Sound to the blind is like vision to
written by Cui-Juan Lee, a group of
sighted people. Blind people link
blind masseuses revealed this pos-
specific sounds to an object based
sibility. [2] They were fond of telling
on past experiences so they know
their customer’s appearances by
what is happening in their surround-
their voices. Before they touched
ings. For example, most of the blind
their bodies, they would pick the
can differentiate the various kinds
slimmer customers according to
of walking sounds. Yi-Zhen is one
their voices. To them, the slimmer
of such person. Her husband always
customers are easier to manage
tried to be sneaky and approach-
and cause less effort to serve. After
ing from behind; but often she was
service, they would compare their
aware of his intention. She recog-
findings. Although the blind people
nized his steps before he was about
cannot see things, they are able to
to close in on her.
use their imagination to “see the
Not only do blind people use sound
world from hearing.” Sound has be-
to differentiate things, but also to
come one of the primary media that
know people by “seeing their faces.
direct the blind to explore the world.
” By listening to the pitch of one’s voice, blind people can detect their mood and characters. Is he/she a happy person? Are those people friendly? The blind would synthesize the experiences of the sounds of people’s voices to predict their appearances. In the paper of Beyond the Limitation of the Visible World
Sound as an informatio signal By using sound as a clue, the blind
be able to follow his friend by listen-
was looking for a seat in the caf-
are able to suggest an event associ-
ing to his footsteps. Hence, he was
eteria. He was astonished because
ated with past experiences. A sound
forced to put his hand on his friend’s
without sound as a guide he got lost.
that is either too strong or too light
shoulder as a guide to move forward.
At that moment, he felt helpless and
is insufficient. In a noisy space,
Similarly, a quiet space also makes
terrified. The interruption of sound
the blind often feel uncomfortable
the blind feel challenged. Weihen-
signal blocks the information that
because the sound is distorted
mayer once had a quarrel with a
orientates the blind. Frequently, it
and merged into other resonances.
group of people in school. They
leads the blind into an unsecure
Weihenmayer1 stated that if the
wanted to embarrass him by being
stage because they cannot predict
street were too noisy, he would not
quiet suddenly while Weihenmayer
what may happen next.
Seeing the world through the hearing of language. Blind people adapt verbal com-
blind. For instance, when in a great
Similar to doing a puzzle, the more
munication as a tool to “see” the
view, sighted people might describe
pieces to put together, the clearer
world. Although they cannot directly
the view in a general expression.
the picture is. To the blind, each
see a thing, they can learn from
“It’s spectacular“ or “it’s amazing.”
phrase is like a piece of a puzzle,
sighted people; especially, some
Abstract explanations like this of an
which leads them to “see” gradu-
abstract phrases such as, beauti-
event or a scene stop the blind from
ally. With the linguistic aid, the blind
ful and bright, which are intangible,
forming a picture in the mind. How
manage to constitute the picture of
are more difficult to grasp. Through
does it look? What is its scale? What
the world in their mind.
reporting detail of a scene or an ob-
kind of color is it? (Znang-yu Chou,
ject by sighted people, the blind are
p.45) The variety of descriptions in
able to compose a conceptual image
detail becomes important because
without visual help. In other words,
when the clues are abundant, the
language also may be an eye for the
message is better understandable.
Language is a symbol Words are a form of representa-
to build up new information. (Znang-
tion that helps the blind to expand
yu Chou, p.51) This use of language
their knowledge. By connecting to
as a symbol is the same approach
the knowledge with experiences, the
that the blind and sighted people use
visually impaired are able to under-
to understand philosophy.
stand a new subject matter. Similar
However, this presupposition is
to sighted people learning Geogra-
based on one thing: the blind must
phy, they don’t need to been to a
have a basic acquaintance with
place to know a country’s location.
colors. For instance, an apple is red
Through understanding the meaning
and the sky is blue. After having a
of words, the acquired knowledge
number of familiarities to associate
can be inferred to a new event. For
to a new topic, the blind are capable
example, when a blind person wants
of accepting new themes.
to know the color of a dress, they consult a sighted person to learn its color. “The dress is red.” Then they take the past experience as a symbol to refer to a new event. The apple is red too, so the dress is red like an apple. In this way, the blind are able
Section 2. Perceptions
Chapter2. Physical Sensor
Toucth Hearing Sight Smell
At First Sight, 1996 The story is based on the book of An Anthropologist on Mars Written by Oliver Sacks. A blind man has an operation to regain his sight at the urging of his girlfriend and must deal with the changes to his life.
Two different worlds: Seeing and touching Sight is the dominant human sense.
tions are fighting each other. The
touch it.” His mind is just like a body
It is difficult to keep oneself from
confusion of perception transforms
that lives in two different worlds. [4]
seeing, unless covering one’s eyes.
the brain into a battlefield. For
Disconnection of human percep-
Besides, it is an effective and direct
instance, Vigor , who was born blind,
tions created problems. As a result,
tool to understand with surround-
recovered his sight after surgery,
Vigor’s perception of sight and touch
ings, so sighted people tend to rely
resisted accepting sight as a tool to
are fighting each other. In the end,
on it to observe the world. The other
know the visual world. After retriev-
he lost his sight again because of
senses such as hearing, touching,
ing his vision, he even became more
psychological pressure. In brief, the
and smelling are the supplementary
confused. “ I don’t understand what
brain allows only one central senses
senses, which are less perceptive.
is depth and perspective...Light is
to work. Most people use sight, but
However, if those secondary senses
just like a white spot on the win-
blind people use touch.
overpower sight, perception may be
dow... Even if I see a familiar item, I
disturbed because several percep-
cannot identify what it is, I need to
Section 2. Perceptions
Chapter2. Physical Sensor
Toucth Hearing Sight Smell
Smell where to go To blind people, the function of smell
signals as a reference to find their
is the same as sighted people. They
way to the destination like school or
apply it to detect their environment
home. Yi-Zhen4, asserts that smell is
such as, smoke to fire, and fragrance
a more recognizable hint than sound
of flowers. Sighted people are able
while practicing way-finding on the
to use their sight to notice the
street. Sound might be covered by
physical changes, hence they don’t
other louder sounds, but smell lasts
need to depend on smell. Similar
longer. Smell is consistent and more
to sound and touch, smell is one
memorable. Generally speaking,
of the indication signals lead the
sighted people and the blind treat
blind to find their way. The smell of
smell similarly, but blind people are
a new car from a car dealer and the
more aware of its usage.
smell of fresh bread from a bakery are truthful, so the blind adapt this
Section 2. Perceptions
Chapter3. Forming the orientating
You are here The notion of position and distance The notion of space and height The notion of time
You are here
Whether sighted people or the visually impaired, people all take the concept of relative position into account when exploring their surroundings. Taking one fixed spot as a base point, people can detect the right direction. (Cui-Juan Lee p.87.93) Then using landmarks in certain positions, the direction and distance can be measured. The fixed spot also gives the
Environmental signage helps people to find their way, and relative position is the most decisive concept. In order to orientate, it’s essential to set up an anchor point to guide people to navigate the area. It’s not simply to show where a destination is, but to point out the current spot. For example, most local maps show the current position, labeled “you are here,” as a conducted point to other places. By grasping the information from the local map, the users know how many blocks they need to walk over, and how many turns they have to make in order to get to the right place.
certainty of correction.
One point to another In addition, by reinterpreting the
Unlike sighted people who depend on
gathering information, both of sight-
one sense to collect information, the
ed people and the visually impaired
visually impaired synthesize all the
create a conceptual mind map,
data that their senses collect, mainly,
which leads them to the right track.
the tactile and hearing senses. With-
For example, one time Hull got lost
out visual help, the blind take more
on the street, and asked pedestrians
time to absorb and digest spatial
where they were now, but people
information, but through touching
replied to him “where did you want
the tactile map and hearing back-
to go?� For the blind, they don’t have
ground sounds, they form the same
to attain the direction or location.
understanding of a space to associ-
Rather, they want to know their pres-
ate to other spots. It shows they have
ent position so that they are able to
the same ability to locate themselves
reshape their mind maps in order to
relative to a map, yet using different
get to another place.
tools from sighted people.
Both sighted people and the visually impaired respond to informationgathering similarly, but the ways they retain the information are distinctive. Sighted people rely on their visual senses. For way-finding, they take visual aids related to the space and its related distance, and those immense pictorial signages evoke the instinctive reaction to the brain, helping the users to arrive at the destination naturally.
Section 2. Perceptions
Chapter3. Forming the orientating
You are here The notion of position and distance The notion of space and height The notion of time
Integrate touch and hearing for various distances Blind people synthesize the usage
kiosk’s location. Last, they would
of touch and hearing to navigate
directly put their hands on the
their positions. In a closer dis-
device to attain information through
tance, they would use their hand
a tactile map. In short, blind people
directly explore the physical world.
apply different methods to navigate
In a middle distance, they use a
the physical world according to dif-
white cane to identify the location
ferent distances from close, middle,
of objects. In a far distance, they
and far responding to hands, cane,
rely on hearing. (Rong Fu Su, p.27)
and hearing.
Taking the new Kiosks in the Staten Island Ferry in New York City as an example, a bird-chirp sound occurs every 20 seconds to help the visually impaired users to locate the unit. First, the visually impaired are attracted by the sound, and realize there is a Kiosk near by. Then, following the direction of the sound, they use the white cane to target the
Synthesize the perceptions to know position Since they are unable to see their
distance requires more time to
surroundings, how do blind people
walk through. A long period of time
know their position and how far they
therefore suggests a long distance.
have walked? Since they cannot use
Next, blind people use gravity to un-
tangible objects like a building or a
derstand their position. When taking
tree as a landmark, they have more
public transportation, the movement
challenges to know their current
of the vehicle is directional. (Zhang-
position. Nonetheless, they are able
yu Chou, p.35.85) Taking turns or
to use several methods to overcome
climbing hills changes the linear
the difficulties. One approach is
movement. Blind people recognize
utilizing time. Blind people use
this as a signal to locate their posi-
time as a measurement to assume
tion from their mind map.
traveling distance. As they walk, their minds transfer the walking distances into the memories of time. A long
Section 2. Perceptions
Chapter3. Forming the orientating
You are here The notion of position and distance The notion of space and height The notion of time
Build up the spatial experiences through body scale. The subject’s spatial experiences are
proportions and past experiences,
p.16.17) In these ways, the spatial
often confined due to the restric-
which are used to suggest size and
concept becomes a solid thought.
tion of tactile area. As a result, they
depth. For instance, in a small scale,
Also, the visually impaired are able
have difficulties perceiving particu-
they tend to use the length of their
to assume the scale of the items
larly broad spaces or huge objects
hands or height of their body as
or space. The bind might not have
such as a train or an airplane; the
comparisons to the objects that
the visual advantage, yet they make
wholeness of very larger objects
they are touching. In a bigger scale,
good use of their bodies and think-
is difficult to grasp. However, the
they will refer to their memories
ing to understand depth and space.
visually impaired are able to esti-
of hearing and touching related to
mate space by relating to their body
the current subject. (Rong Fu Su,
Phrases to define height The visually impaired use language to interpret the concept of space. From an abstract and intangible space to phrases, the visually impaired employ concrete words to define space and height. Those phrases are often the names of objects or descriptions of actions, which are associated with their body experiences. [6]
-High is the wall. -High is a roof of a house -High is a pile of stairs -High is layers -High is something that cannot be touched
The visually impaired may not be able to conceive a spatial idea through seeing; nonetheless, representational phrases allow the visually impaired to transform the intangible perception of space into solid explanations.
Flatten height into 2-dimensions The experience of height is the ex-
obstacle on the street, they may
tension of a plan to the blind. While
not climb over it like sighted people
moving from one floor to another
might do because they are afraid
in a tall building via elevator, the
of falling down. Climbing on height
blind are less aware of their change
increases the possibility of get-
in height. As they take the eleva-
ting lost. In order to avoid this, the
tor, their body movement stops,
blind would walk along the barrier
and also the shifting is subtle.
and stay on the ground. It may take
Height and space have become
more time to travel, but it is more
more difficult to conceive. Although
reliable and safer.
it is challenging to build up a 3-dimensional mind map, they can find their direction. They memorize their routes in the simplest way, a two-dimensional linear path. They compress individual experiences of height, and then turn them into a plane. Eliminating the axis of z space, the information of mobility has become simpler, which reduces unnecessary information, allows the blind to remember their routes easily. (Rong Fu Su, p.16-22) Moreover, flattened height not only simplifies unnecessary information, but also helps the subjects to avoid danger. As the blind bump into an
Section 2. Perceptions
Chapter3. Forming the orientating
You are here The notion of position and distance The notion of space and height The notion of time
The blind lives in the time. ~Oliver, 1996
Irregular time lapse
•
to measure the distance and space,
By using the body movement as an
The irregular time laps become an
but also where they live in. Time
active tool to measure time to space,
indicator to the blind to get to a
implies space. When they are taking
visually impaired are able to predict
destination. While the blind is on the
a subway or walking to a destina-
their position while walking. The
public transportation, such as bus
tion, they would count their walking
blind counts their steps to suggest a
or subway, they are unable to know
steps, which give them a guide to
certain distance. They are transfer-
their current position actively. On the
their goal. In other case, while taking
ring a regular rhythm of bit to time,
other hand, they pay more atten-
the subway, they are awarding of the
and then referring to their memory
tion to their surroundings. To decide
uneven subway stops, which become
of physical space. Example:
which stops is the right one, the key
a significant difference to provide clues of current spot.
Regular time lapse
•
For the blind time is not only a tool
is to find difference in a consistence unchanged. Often, the changing of the interval stops is unequal, and it can be used as a landmark to relate to the destination.
Section 3. Solution
Chapter4. Tactile Graphic AIGA/DOT Symbols Principles Width Gap Depth Prototype Experiments
AIGA/DOT Symbols
Principles:
Reduce
Simplify
Alternative
Width:
1.5�
Gap:
1/4”
Depth:
x= the appropriate depth
1/32â&#x20AC;?< x < 1/16â&#x20AC;?
Cannot feel the background
1/8”
1/16”
1/32”
Not enough contrast
1st. Prototype
Cardboard
3 versions
Round edge
Sharp edge
Outline
2nd. Prototype
Metallic cardboard
3rd. Prototype
Metallic cardboard
4th. Prototype
Woods
Final
Plastic/Acrylic
Final 14 symbols
Location
36”< x < 48”
48” x= the comfortable tactile area in height
36”
Location
The New York Institute for Special Education
Works Cited: [1] Weihenmayer, Erik, Touch the Top of the World, New York: Dutton,Wheeler Pub.Wheeler Pub. 2001 [2] Lee, Cui-Juan, Beyond the Limitation of the Visible World, Chiayi: Nanhua University, 2004 [3] Chou, Zhang-yu, The Problem Of The Blind And The Solution Of MerleauPonty. Taoyuan County: National Central University, 2000 [4] Sacks, Oliver, An Anthropologist on Mars, New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1995 [5] Yong Chong Lee, A Study on the Usage of Word Sign Application in Public Buildings for Disabled Citizens, Taichung: Feng Chia University. 2008 [6] Su, Rong Fu, Space without Altitude-A design operation based on the perception of blind people. Taipei County: Tamkang University, 2004
Bibliography: 1.
Calori, Chris,Signage and wayfinding design : a complete guide to creating environmental graphic design systems Hoboken, N.J. : John Wiley, c2007
2.
Hunt, Wayne; Rosentswieg, Gerry;LaBrecque, Eric. Designing & planning environmental graphics, New York, N.Y: Madison Square Press, c1994.
3.
Lai, Shun Shuang, A research on the Dimension of Braille Cell in Taiwan, Taoyouan: Tatung University, 2008
4.
John I. Duncan, Environmental modifications for the visually impaired, American Foundation for the Blind, 1977
5.
Kleege, Georgina, Sight unseen, New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, c1999.
6.
Lewis, Ferdinand. Touch: graphic design with tactile design, Gloucester, Mass: Rockport, c2001.
7.
Hara, Kenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ya, Designing design, Baden, Switzerland: Lars MĂźller Pub lishers, 2007.
8.
Arnheim, Rudolf. Art and visual perception: a psychology of the creative eye, Berkeley, Calif; London: University of California Press, 2004.