Accident & Emergency

Whilst waiting with my son in Accident and Emergency yesterday afternoon (nothing broken, just a nasty sprain to his wrist) I began to look around at the  signage. Even as you walk in, although it is pretty obvious that the large wooden fronted area in front of you is reception, there is only a small sign hanging high from the ceiling and at the moment we walked in no receptionist/triage nurse. When I say obvious, of course I mean, to those who do not have any visual impairment. Even with full sight, because you are often a little panicked when you arrive at those places, you find yourself have to work a little just to register.

Then, after the initial assessment (ok, take these pain killers and when they kick in we can reassess/x-ray) it is then that you really start looking around, you have a lot of time to look around. A couple of drinks and a packet of crisps later the toilet is required. Here we go again, and to cut a long search short, you once again learn that always look at the ceiling for directions, once again it was hanging there, inconspicuous and out of the way, I guess so that it does not get in the cleaners way or is not a trip hazard.

Next, the posters that are put around, often neatly on a display area, but nowhere near where you are sat waiting, that are giving you information on how to stay healthy and how not to drink and drive, seem pointless. The only things you are looking at during your wait are the empty chair opposite you, the door through which a doctor or nurse may come calling your or your relatives name or your mobile phone. Yes the phone that you are not supposed to use, but as you can't see the poster telling you not to, you carry on texting your mates saying how cool it is to not be in school, (not me you understand). No I was using mine to take pics of the reception area, they are not great, but I was trying to be a little discrete.

So now I think I will look at these pics and see if the wayshowing could be improved and therefore increase inclusivity.

Ok, looks like a reception, but signage is only the ceiling hung one to the left of the desk.

Again, main toilet sign hanging from ceiling. The toilet is actually tucked away down the dimly lit corridor.

The main information poster display, behind you at reception, and a distance from the waiting area.

The empty seat your often stair at. Is this where the information should be?

Wayshowing for the visually impaired.

Following on from the braille poster and the "music from braille" which I will post when finished, I am going to look into wayshowing for the visually impaired as part of my MA. It all dovetails into the tactile side of using natural materials in signage. My goal will be to provide equal access to location information to people with visual disabilities. Without the ability to see surrounding location information, such as street signs and landmarks, it is difficult for a visually impaired person to determine the accurate direction to travel and to efficiently move from place to place. The inability to know location information can often result in fear, reluctance to leave one's home or known routes, and a consequent withdrawal from major life participation in work, family and community.

Updated version of poster for Babels library piece

 

Full size poster A2

Close up of type

Continuing the idea of information that cannot be easily accessed I have produced this poster that has the complete short story of Babels library written in braille, not raised, and in a colourway that is particularly difficult to read.

Needs no explanation - serious play

Iran claims London 2012 Olympics logo spells the word 'Zion'

Almost four years after the logo's launch, Tehran threatens to boycott the Games unless the design is changed.

All seems a bit churlish, after all, we have never heard a word of complaint from Lisa Simpson.

Iran has threatened to boycott the London Olympics unless the organisers replace the official logo, which Tehran claims spells out the word "Zion".

The logo, a jagged representation of the year 2012, has been said by its critics to resemble many things, from a swastika to a sexual act, but the Iranian government argues it represents a veiled pro-Israeli conspiracy.
In a formal complaint to the International Olympic Committee, Tehran has called for the graphic to be replaced and its designers "confronted", warning that Iranian athletes might otherwise be ordered to stay away from the London Games.

According to the state-backed Iranian Students News Agency, which is frequently used to convey official pronouncements, the letter says: "As internet documents have proved, using the word Zion in the logo of the 2012 Olympic Games is a disgracing action and against the Olympics' valuable mottos.

"There is no doubt that negligence of the issue from your side may affect the presence of some countries in the Games, especially Iran which abides by commitment to the values and principles."

The letter, from the country's national Olympic committee, leaves unclear what "internet documents" it is referring to.

Amid the popular uproar that accompanied the unveiling of the logo in 2007, there were some claims, particularly on conspiracy-oriented websites, that its constituent shapes could be rearranged to make the world "Zion" and some animations were posted on YouTube showing how to do it.

An IOC official confirmed that the Iranian letter had been received but said: "The London 2012 logo represents the figure 2012, nothing else."

A spokesman for the London Olympic organising committee added: "It was launched in 2007 following testing and consultation. We are surprised that this complaint has been made now."

Design Education: Laying the Foundation for Sustainability

Graphic design education is missing a critical component. Students receive intensive training in many areas, such as foundation, design history, typography, and composition. But where does environmental sustainability fit on this list? At what point on our path as designers do we learn how to be better stewards of our environment?   www.re-nourish.com/?l=articles_detail&id=53

Design Ethics and Sustainability - Designer Panel Discussion