Differences in vision performance in different scenarios and implications for design

Joy Goodman-Deane,Sam Waller,Keziah Latham,Holly Price,Raji Tenneti,P John Clarkson

doi:10.1016/j.apergo.2016.02.001

Joy Goodman-Deane, Sam Waller + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2016.02.001

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Abstract

To design accessibly, designers need good, relevant population data on visual abilities. However, currently available data often focuses on clinical vision measures that are not entirely relevant to everyday product use. This paper presents data from a pilot survey of 362 participants in the UK, covering a range of vision measures of particular relevance to product design. The results from the different measures are compared, and recommendations are given for relative text sizes to use in different situations. The results indicate that text needs to be 17–18% larger for comfortable rather than perceived threshold viewing, and a further 20% larger when users are expected to wear their everyday vision setup rather than specific reading aids.

Highlights

Visual ability is often critical in product and service use, affecting many aspects such as the capability to read text, see warning signs and recognise icons
Clinical vision measures provide a good indication of people's vision ability in ideal situations
This paper presented data from a range of measures which may be more appropriate for such situations. These were used to calculate recommendations for how the sizes of graphical and text elements should change when products are intended for comfortable viewing instead of perceived threshold and when users are not able to change their vision setup for reading, e.g. by putting on reading glasses

Summary

Introduction

Visual ability is often critical in product and service use, affecting many aspects such as the capability to read text, see warning signs and recognise icons. It is important to consider the visual ability of the target population when designing products and services. Users may struggle or may even be excluded from using the product. This is important in the context of accessibility and inclusive design, which aim to meet the needs of a wide range of users, and reduce the numbers of those who would be excluded (Keates and Clarkson, 2003). Designers need good population data on visual abilities and how they relate to product use. The currently available data often focuses on just a few vision measures, which are appropriate for some but not all design situations

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