EXAMPLES

paving guide for the blind

http://www.pavingexpert.com/tactile01.htm

http://www.armor-tile.com/index.html

OBJECTIVE

use tactile flooring to help blind people effectively navigate through the public bathroom

truncated domes/ taxtile pavement

its been around since 1980s. it is textured pavement that is used to indicate or warn a blind person when there is danger, a curb or a bike path. different patterns and textures/colors are different for each indicator. ex. blister indicates pedestrian crossing, or curb. offset blister indicates when there is a bus stop or train tracks.

we want to create a texture pattern in the bathroom so that a blind person can run their cane over the texture and know that there is something above it like paper towel, stall handle or soap. because some people do not feel with their hands but use their cane, they are somtimes not able to locate something that does not reach all the way to the ground. we would like to create a new texture that communicates, look up or above.

BLIND desgin

no matter the situation its going to take a blind person time and extra effort to learn their surrounding situations, the bathroom is no exception.

my group and i explored the idea of keeping everyday objects as simple and as familiar as possible to not confused a blind person. unfamiliar and new products are often troublesome for blind people. function, positioning, weight and form are often times confusing.

cardboard inspirations

white on paper

TOWEL

text

i am trying to incorporate image and text that is easy to read and eye catching

rake and take

the shape of this composting unit is conveniently the same shape as our trash/ compost unit. although it serves a different function, this is the type of flat packing and portability we are trying to achive

24hr test

the results of our 24 hr test was very successful. we found that there was absolutely no trash in the paper towel only compartment. there were a couple paper towels in the trash compartments but it is great to see that the paper towel is completely compostable. group member perry suggested that the paper towel in the trash maybe because it contained hazardous substances.

Graphix

after critique we decided that we had the form down and need to work on the communication component and making the product look a little more sexy. we are testing text and using the pre existing composting symbol instead of trying to make out own.

i scanned in some paper towels for texture, we are debating weather to line the inside of the unit with the paper towel texture for visual communication or have the entire front be covered like wall paper. there are lots of possible directions we are looking at but we know we want to use a big composting symbol at the least

prototype testing

this corner version doesnt have a can and bottle section but just trash and paper towels. they are clearly labeled and placed into the downstairs bathroom next to the deans office, which seems to attract the most traffic. along with the unit, there is a short and east survey asking : is the unit convenient and easy to use? do you prefer text or imagery and do you like the way the unit looks?


(Female bathroom on the first floor of lawrence hall)


mens bathroom first floor of lawrence hall

incorporates three sections, cans/bottles, trash and paper towel only.

brand/ logo

after much negative feedback in learned a couple things.
the icon does not clearly tell the viewer that it is trying to communicate recycling or composting. which i agree.

"to be honest a hour ago i looked at it and thought, i literally am suppose to put trees and mountains into the trash can..."

-tara

some areas of improvement:
create a cycle
create a connection between the two icons

making of group prototype 1.0

group prototype 1.0 was based off of daniel's corner space saving trash can that was divided into trash and paper towels. after a group meeting we decided to add trash and bottles and cans.


25% of the overall unit will be devoted to trash and cans. the trash is positioned in a manner that evokes the motion of putting trash into a space. the circle suggest the shape of a can or a bottle. the interior has two sleeves for easy access and separation of stuff.

flat packablity

we have decided to use the design element of flat packing into all of our prototypes. we imagine the final product be constructed from heavy duty cardboard that can come in a compact package that can easily be constructed.