I'd like to develop some methods to test the service; this may mean printing a number of prototype options to gauge the ease of interface for users. I'd really like to keep the process as open as possible and encourage a level of co-design with the test groups.
The service is really about pre-journey information due to the level of planning that takes place before users begin any journey. Looking at this pre-journey stage; the time spent planning, there may be additional opportunities - for example making print friendly versions of the site results for those without smart phones.
Archive for April 2011
Research
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Department for transport publish all of their road sign sketches online, complete with measurements. This may or may not prove relevant, either way, they are lovely.
Otl Aicher
Accessible design
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One of the projects I am working on, is a website and app service for disabled users with varying degrees of accessibility issues (visual through to physical impairment). The project is being run by a small team of people working within a transport company.
My role will be to help test and design the site and application. Over the next few weeks I am hoping to do some research into accessible design in terms of required levels of clarity, sizes, colours, interface and so forth.
The Web Accessibility Initiative
The WAI and readability guidelines on the w3schools suggest a number of things:
- Use an adjustable font size
- Include the alt function on the images
- Use contrasting colours
- Well spaced letters and line heights
- Don't use italics
- Use a clear font
- Don't use alt function on 'decorative images'
- Accessible forms - flashing cursors and prompt text
- Check the website in Lynx
- Check the site can be navigated without a mouse
- Include a site map
- Descriptive link text
- Use WebXACT and Wave to test the site
Useful article on typography for those suffering with eyesight problems.
According to the ADA (The Americans with Disabilities Act) the following serif fonts are suggested:
- Bodoni Book
- Times Roman
- Garamond semi-bold
- Century schoolbook
- Glypha Roman
San-serif:
- Futura heavy
- Helvetica bold
- Univers 65
- Frutiger bold
- Syntax bold
Body weight = 60%-100% of character height
Stroke width = 10%-20% of character height
One semester in
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I'm currently almost 4 months into my Masters course; having finished the first semester and enjoying a couple of weeks off for Easter.
I've completed 4 projects and am still working on around 3 others that will continue into the next term. As 2 out of 3 of these projects are not compulsory but extra to my course, I would like to document my findings and progress through this blog.
I've completed 4 projects and am still working on around 3 others that will continue into the next term. As 2 out of 3 of these projects are not compulsory but extra to my course, I would like to document my findings and progress through this blog.