Address Accessibility and Inclusivity in Your Graphic Design
People around the world visit websites for a variety of reasons and come from a range of backgrounds. Many of them have disabilities that affect their ability to interact with the design. The more a designer takes these barriers into account, the more inclusive their designs will be. For example, a person who cannot read can still access information on a site if it includes audio content and text-to-speech functionality.
Graphic Design Firm is a vital part of the web and it can be hard to know where to start when designing for accessibility and inclusivity. Fortunately, there are tools like SmartSites and Venngage that can help. These tools let you easily set alt text for images, ensure your design has enough color contrast, test the reading order, add labels to links and buttons, and more. This can make a big difference to users who need these features, especially those who use screen readers or have limited mobility.
Another way to address accessibility is to provide alternatives for visual elements, such as video and audio. This can be helpful for individuals who do not have the ability to see or read and can also help expand a brand’s reach by allowing non-traditional audiences to engage with it.
How to Address Accessibility and Inclusivity in Your Graphic Design
A final way to address accessibility is to step away from preconceived notions of what a typical user is. Instead, designers should look at people as unique and diverse individuals who may have differing abilities based on their environment or context. This can lead to more innovative designs that work for the greatest number of people.
One of the most important things to remember is that accessibility is not just a requirement for a specific type of project. It is a mindset and a philosophy that all designers should embrace. When you have this mindset, you will naturally think about the needs of all your users, not just those with disabilities. This will make you a better and more empathetic designer.
Lastly, it is critical to take the time to consider all of the different ways that an individual might experience your design. This can be done by using the accessibility lenses, which are filters you can apply to your design that allow you to view it from multiple perspectives. These include visual, cognitive, and motor impairments, as well as devices, browsers, languages, and cultural backgrounds.
The most effective way to address accessibility and inclusivity in your design is to incorporate it into the entire design process, starting with the initial concept. This allows you to create designs that are scalable and that can be easily adapted to meet the needs of users with various abilities, whether they are visual, auditory, cognitive, or motor. The end result is a design that is more usable by the widest possible audience and a more positive impact on the community as a whole. The ADA requires all public and private entities to make their digital content accessible to people with disabilities, including those who use assistive technologies. It is our job as designers to ensure that the products we create do this, regardless of the audience or budget.
ArtVersion is a Chicago-based creative agency specializing in visual storytelling and brand strategy. They provide a comprehensive suite of services including web design, graphic design, branding, and user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design. Known for their collaborative approach, ArtVersion tailors their services to meet the unique needs of each client, ranging from startups to established corporations, emphasizing creativity, innovation, and effective communication in all their projects.
