Accessibility through visuals- Web Activity 1

While I was further researching Universal Design, I came across many articles and books that all emphasized how visuals can make resources accessible to every one. They can be used with or without text, but either way the visual helps everyone gain understanding. While reading this, I couldn't help but think of my mom. I was recently talking to her on the phone and she was expressing her desire to get stronger and work out more. Her fear was that she had never learned how to use the weight machines at the gym and she did not want to embarrass herself. I tried to explain to her that there are plenty of machines that are "self explanatory," and even have easy to understand directions.
I understand her concern because I remember walking into JMU's gym my freshman year of college where most of the free weights were located. It's intimidating when you don't know techniques and specific work outs. However, I think the weight machines make working out more accessible for everyone. They are easier to understand just by the look of them. The machines make it clear where you sit, how to adjust the weight, where to put your hands/feet, and how to move. On top of this, there are directions on each machine to further explain. The first picture I posted is of a room with bench presses and free weights. This visual for someone who is knew to working out would be confusing. The second picture I posted is of a weight machine. This machine is much easier to understand just by the way the machine is designed.

Universal Design Instruction

Throughout the chapter it discussed how product or web designers should attempt to make things more universal.  One way to accomplish a universal design is by using visual representations or symbols rather than words.  By doing this the instructions transcends into any language making it a lot easier for the user to understand.  In the picture below it shows how an answering machine could be altered to make it easier to use.  The first answering machine uses words to describe what the buttons mean.

In the second answering machine the English language is still used to describe the buttons but it also uses symbols to describe the meaning of some of the buttons.  This is a more universal design because the user does not need to know the English language in order to know how to use the main functions of the machine.

The machine is still not a perfect example of universal design because it still has some functions that depend on language but it is definitely a better design than the first machine.

Activity One: Effective Images

As I read the chapter about universal images, I couldn't help but remember a microwave oven my husband and I bought in 1987. It was our very first "major" purchase, and it caused quite an argument. However, that microwave oven needed a page of instructions next to it in order to understand how to use it. I have found that problem with most microwave ovens even today. No matter how simple the task of operating one should be, every manufacturer chooses a different display design and sequence for its appliance. No one should feel stupid standing in front of a microwave oven with the dumbfounded look that says, "Now which button do I press first?" because we all have been there!

Renee

Activity One: Effective Images

In searching for an effective image, I came across a smart phone. The phone put me in mind of my mother's first encounter with her new phone, she was unsure of how to unlock the screen as there were no on screen directions. Unlike the iPhone, the Windows 7 phone (both pictured below) does not indicate how to unlock a locked screen. This sparked an interest in me simply because we use cell phones on a regular basis, and until my mother's interaction, it had not occurred to me how user-friendly Apple has made the lock screens on their devices. The Apple devices have a bar, and arrow, and the words "slide to unlock" highlighted by a flash of light traveling in the direction which you should slide. The Windows devices have a large screen, with a lovely background of your choice, and no indication of how to get past the background (with further exploration it is discovered that "lifting" the background with an upward motion reveals the home screen). While both screens are appealing to the eye, I find it interesting how often we take small visual cues for granted, this is something that Apple clearly took into account.

Windows 7 Phone




Apple iPhone 4s (personal image)