Is Graphic Design Only For Those Who Can See?
Every two years or so, I make a trip to the optometrist to have my vision checked. And every time I go, it seems my prescription gets a bit stronger. The hypochondriac in me fears the evitable—I am a future Mr. Magoo! And until I can put together enough scratch to get my eyeballs blasted with laser beams I’ll be forced to wear glasses or contacts. I know, “boo-hoo!” I like to play the martyr, but the vision correction discomforts I have pale in comparison to those who are truly blind.
How often as graphic designers do we address the issues of the blind? I’ve been thinking about this lately. With almost all work that I make, I expect that my audience will be able to LOOK at it to enjoy it. As graphic designers, are we excluding the blind—even if it is unintentionally? I’m one of those optimistic blowhards who believes that graphic design has a higher purpose than to just make detergent boxes look pretty or convince consumers to buy a couple of extra packs of tube socks. Don’t get me wrong people, I love my tube socks and I love ’em clean, but our responsibility is much greater than this.
One of the organizations that I recently learned of, who I believe could use our services is Our Money Too. This is a group of Americans lobbying our government to establish some sort of tactile markings on our U.S. currency. It seems like it would be a “no-brainer” to get this rolling in Washington, but as you can guess it has been held up a number of times in the legislative process. THIS IS A GRAPHIC DESIGN PROBLEM. As graphic designers, this is exactly the sort of issue we should address. I have emailed this group to let them know that I am more than willing to help in whatever way they may need it. I am also going to send a copy of this post to the AIGA and my congressman and see what happens. I looked into this issue on the US Department of Treasury website and although they are aware of it they give the usual government “run-around” response. I believe this to be one form of exclusion, that as graphic designers we can remedy.
“To those whom much is given, much is expected in return.”
-I told you I was a blowhard.
posted by The Design Professor, Tobias Brauer @ 10:25 AM
7 Comments:
Great post. Mimnor semantic issue: by definition, graphic design is only for those who can see. Cmd-ctrl-D the word "graphic" and you get "of or relating to visual art." I would say giving tactile markings to currency is a product design problem.
It’s an interesting debate, because where then does that definition adressed the experience of the audience as is associated with a graphic design. For example: graphic designers will often use elements such as an emboss or die cut. Are those only to be looked at? I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who can resist running their finger across an emboss on a printed piece.
I haven’t yet seen a definition of graphic design that I like—hell I can’t even write one myself that I like! I hope that as designers we start to question expected standards.
Thanks for the comment!
Tobias
I agree that graphic design is all about visuality (look and feel), but in some extent it is also about holistic perception, or if you prefer, the experience.
Deaf people can't hear, but this does not mean that they wouldn't experience sound, such as listen to music, as the whole human body can work as a receiver.
Make any sense?
Ever seen/touched Australian money? It's got tactile elements, the numbers are nice and big and clear, and the notes increase in length as they increase in denomination.
Thanks _tero.
-Tobias
In addition, you might consider that people with visual impairments often live in the same visually saturated culture that people with full sight live in . . . so they may experience graphic design non-visually or in a number of virtual ways, through literary description, the conversations of friends, and so on . . . through many kinds of communication, rather than what might (perhaps wrongly) consider primary or immediate experience.
I'm a graduate student of design at the University of Washington in Seattle and worked as a research assistant this summer with a group working on tactile graphics. Our focus was the translation of charts and graphs from math and science textbooks into tactile graphics for blind/low vision students. We focused mostly on the usability end, while a group in computer science was (still is) working on computer software that will automate the production of tactile graphics. I'm planning on doing my thesis on this topic and found this great book as a start to my bibliography: http://tinyurl.com/c9e29
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