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Designing for Accessibility: Principles Every Designer Should Know

A laptop sits on a desk with its screen displaying a white accessibility icon of a person in a wheelchair. The scene is lit with soft, gradient lighting in shades of pink, purple, and blue. Beside the laptop, there is a white computer mouse with a similar lighting effect. In the background, smooth, curved shapes add to the modern and colourful aesthetic.
Empowering accessibility through web design is a great way to make technology inclusive for all. The tips in this post apply to media beyond digital as well such as deign for printed materials.

Creating art and design that is accessible to everyone is more than just a good practice—it’s a necessity. As artists and designers, our work should speak to the broadest possible audience, ensuring inclusivity and enhancing the user experience for all. Here are some key principles every artist should know about designing for accessibility.

1. Colour Contrast Matters

High colour contrast is crucial for those with visual impairments. Ensure text stands out against the background, and be mindful of colour choices. Tools like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) contrast checker can help you select accessible colour combinations.

2. Text Alternatives for Images

Not everyone experiences visual content the same way. Providing text alternatives (alt text) for images ensures that screen readers can describe your visuals to those who are visually impaired. Alt text should be concise yet descriptive enough to convey the essential information.

3. Readable Typography

Choose fonts that are easy to read. Avoid overly decorative fonts for large blocks of text and ensure your typeface is legible at various sizes. Consider line spacing, text alignment, and the use of bold or italic styles to enhance readability without compromising clarity. Also ensure there’s plenty of white space around your text and that everything is well organized. As someone with a visual impairment, a cluttered layout with too much text in tight spaces can be difficult to read.

4. Consider Keyboard Navigation

Not everyone uses a mouse. Some rely on keyboards or other assistive devices. Ensure your designs are navigable through keyboard inputs. This includes providing visible focus indicators and logical tab orders.

5. Consistent and Predictable Layouts

Users with cognitive impairments benefit from consistent and predictable layouts. Repetition of navigation elements and a logical flow of information help users understand and interact with your design more effectively.

6. Use Descriptive Links

Links should clearly indicate their destination. Phrases like “click here” are ambiguous for those using screen readers. Instead, use descriptive text that conveys the link’s purpose or content. Search engines prefer descriptive links so they’re good for SEO as well.

7. Provide Subtitles and Transcripts

For audio and video content, always provide subtitles and transcripts. This not only aids those who are deaf or hard of hearing but also benefits users in noisy environments or those who prefer reading over listening.

8. Test with Real Users

Testing your designs with individuals who have disabilities provides invaluable insights. Tools and simulations can help, but real-world testing ensures your designs meet actual user needs.

9. Keep Learning and Updating

Accessibility standards and technologies are continuously evolving. Stay informed about the latest developments and be ready to adapt your designs. Resources like the W3C and accessibility-focused forums can be excellent sources of ongoing education.

Embracing Inclusivity in Design

Designing for accessibility doesn’t just enhance the user experience for those with disabilities; it improves the usability for everyone. By incorporating these principles, you can create art and designs that are inclusive, engaging, and accessible to all. Remember, the goal is to make your work as universally accessible as possible, ensuring everyone can appreciate and interact with your creative expressions. Happy designing!

Please feel free to add any other tips and suggestions for accessible design in the comments section below.

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The image shows a set of office or craft supplies arranged on a neutral background. There is a white bottle of glue with a red nozzle, labeled "Glue" in bold black letters. Next to the glue bottle, there is a pair of shiny metal scissors with the handles facing up. A roll of adhesive tape, a thick book with a textured cover, a small white eraser, and a silver pen are also visible in the composition. The items are well-lit, casting soft shadows, and are arranged in a balanced, aesthetically pleasing manner.
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Digital artist and graphic designer, Teresa Cowley

My name is Teresa Cowley, and I'm a digital artist and graphic designer from Vancouver Island, Canada. I focus on abstract and fantasy art as well as digital collage, and like to utilize AI art tools as part of my design process to create new, innovative pieces of art. I strive to create new, unique designs that tell imaginative stories, and I am eager to push the boundaries of what can be expressed with art and technology.

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