Visual experience for the visually impaired

Abstract

Visually impaired individuals often live in a secluded world which is hard for sighted people to relate to. Through this practice-based research, I have attempted to provide visually impaired individuals with a glimpse of how sighted individuals experience life. The visually impaired society is frequently neglected in the field of the arts. Through the fabrication of a print and a tactile children’s book, this research has sought out effective ways and tangible materials one could use to provide an art-related experience to visually impaired individuals. It combines the field of digital art and illustration with sensory modalities to provide a legible and enjoyable piece of illustrated literature for visually impaired individuals. Information was gathered in semi-structured interviews to provide valuable insight on the topic. Taking children’s cognitive abilities into consideration, the concept of “less is more” was applied in the design of the artwork. Designing for the visually impaired requires an understanding of how they function in their day-to-day lives. Relying on their four remaining senses, these individuals manage to successfully navigate the spaces they live in. Although much care was given to the aesthetic qualities of both books, when it comes to the tactile version, it is not the appearance but the feel of the product which adds value to it. One of the aims of this study is to help visually individuals feel included in an otherwise isolated environment. Thanks to the duality of a print-braille book, visually impaired individuals can have a literary experience as enriching as that of a sighted individual.