03 | ISTD: Typography
Project Brief: The Spaces Between
Consider the experience or concept of spaces between in a conceptual and/or physical way. Think about how these spaces connect or disconnect people, places, ideas, thoughts, cultures etc. Investigate the widest interpretation of the subject from individual, cultural and human perspectives. There will be lots of opportunities to draw upon references of different experiences of the diverse subject of spaces between.
Project Deliverables
01 | Strategy & Specifications
02 | Research & Design Development
03 | Final outcomes
Design Strategy
”Some women see shapes and shadows; others sees complete darkness. Some acquired their impairments as children; others lost their sight in adulthood. They discussed their everyday lives, how they navigate the world, and, most importantly, how their blindness has helped shape who they are, but hasn’t held them back.”
The Spaces Between is the brief that challenged me to think about space both physically and conceptually. For most sighted people, navigating from place to place is an instinctive component of daily life, performed without much conscious thought. The space between in my project highlights alternative ways of experiencing and perceiving the world and the different dimensions beyond the visible. Individuals on the spectrum of blindness navigate and experience the world differently leading them into a different state of spatial perception, and as a result are reliant on their remaining senses – touch, hearing, smell, taste, along with an intuitive ‘sixth sense’.“Sensorial Spaces” speaks to these senses existing and navigating a non-visual space operating as a second sight. To arrive at my concept I carried out an experiment where I blindfolded myself and was challenged to go about my day in a non-visual space.
The project proposes a collaboration with the National Eye Institute of South Africa as the messenger. I conceptualised a design outcome that seeks to immerse sighted individuals, specifically those who are relatives or friends of recently diagnosed visually impaired people, into the unique spatial perspective and sensory experience that individuals on the spectrum of blindness occupy. The project outcome entails a mobile app that allows the target audience to be educated, empathise, and better understand the world from the viewpoint of those with visual impairments.
The app titled Insight includes simulations of, and information on different visual impairments such as cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and more. The decision to use an app as the medium to carry out this design outcome allows for broad accessibility and provides a deeper emotional, impactful, immersive and multidimensional educational experience.The project’s visual approach is inspired by the Snellen eye chart which is used to measure visual acuity to screen individuals for vision impairments. The symbols used on the chart mirror characteristics of Museo Slab which is a multifaceted typeface that is legible both at extremely large and small sizes and comes in a variety of weights that are used in the project to simulate levels of vision. The typeface was also originally designed for screen which makes it appropriate for the final outcome which is a screen-based deliverable.
The colour palette is inspired by an article where artist Liz Nelson worked with handmade negatives and found light sources to create images inspired by how five individuals with different sight impairments ‘see’ the world from their unique perspectives. Nelson’s article provided a visual representation of how these individuals perceive space. The palette consists of gradients which borrow from a combination of active colours that represent each vision impairment. Conceptually, the movable gradients represent the idea of transition and change by covering and revealing visible text. Because of its depth and dimension it enhances the user’s experience in a non-visual space by simulating the idea of light and shadows. Gradients activate the space and symbolise a complex meeting of different singular moments experienced individually
Research & Design Development
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Design specifications
Flat screens
When you picture what a blind person sees, what do you imagine?
Insight, is a revolutionary app that invites you to step into the world of visual impairments and gain profound insights into the diverse experiences of individuals with different sight challenges. Our app offers an immersive VR feature that provides firsthand simulations of various visual conditions, allowing you to see the world from a new perspective. In addition to these eye-opening experiences, Insight provides a wealth of informative resources on visual impairments, assistive technologies, and support organisations. To add a touch of fun interaction, we also offer engaging quizzes to test your knowledge. InSight is your gateway to empathy, awareness, and understanding, making it an invaluable tool for educators, caregivers, and anyone eager to broaden their horizons.
