If I am to be completely honest, initially, it
a black background due to the darkness
wasn’t easy to design in an accessible way.
surrounding the text giving the impression
There have been design problems that have
of shrinking the size of the words.
challenged the very manner with which I design projects. However, as I engaged with
I also avoided using text on top of images,
it and thought about it, I began to realise
as that can become difficult to follow,
that designing with accessibility wasn’t as
particularly if the image has a great deal of
difficult as I had considered it to be. There
differing highlights, shadows or colours.
are many different elements and factors that must be taken into consideration
By maintaining a consistent style
and I am certain that I have missed or
throughout the overall structure of the
misunderstood certain steps as I have
magazine, a flow and familiarity was
endeavoured to design an accessible and
achieved throughout the entire e-journal,
enjoyable e-journal. However, here are
making it much easier to navigate and
a few design choices that I have made
follow with confidence. For example,
with the intention of designing for a wider
placing the headers of the article in the
spectrum of people, with some of my
same place every time, using a rectangle to
decisions coming from the advice and
denote the beginning and the end of each
wonderful support that I received from
article and placing quotes in consistent
staff at Accessible Arts.
spots. These were all implemented with the intention of generating an enjoyable
Firstly, I enlarged the font size so that it can
and consistent experience for all viewers.
be read with greater ease for those who may have visual impairment or difficulties
In addition to this online journal,
reading. I enlarged the point size (points
another document was generated on
are a unit of measurement within typ-
Microsoft Word, which provides an audio
ography) from 8 or 9 pts to 12 pts, which
accompaniment to the piece, whilst also
at first glance may not appear to be
providing the clearest and most accessible
significant but in reality is quite a shift.
format to present information in.
This is 8 pt text.
After designing for ‘Critical Dialogues’,
This is 12 pt text.
I have discovered that I am really only dipping my toes into a richer and more
I also increased any font point size on black
vibrant world which embraces and includes
backgrounds as it is harder to read text on
all people. I do not claim to be an expert
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