Posted on

Idea Development

Braille Research

 

I’ve decided to look into what available tools there are for visually impaired people to see what limitations they may have, if they answer the particular problem I am addressing and to see how it compares to my initial idea.

There is a software that was being developed which was initially the same idea as my own but I intend to use recent technological advancements such as 3D Touch to enable use for braille.

This uses vibrations the same way as I plan to, though again I am trying to condense my project into using existing technology and using an app rather a whole new device.

https://www.cnet.com/news/vibrating-touch-screen-enables-braille-reading/

For braille uses, one of the most recent innovations is a table that uses ‘micro fluid’ to imprint braille onto a canvas using little bubbles for a person to read. (Picture example below).

In the article where this is featured, they explain that they are hoping for cheap production of the tablet, trying to bring down the cost for impaired people, which is similar to what I aim for.

This tablet is relying on limited technology, the developers behind this tablet have stated that without the amount of electronics and expense towards the technology then this will bring down the cost. In retrospect, comparing this to my idea seems cheaper but I feel if I can condense my idea into an app that uses technology that has already been established then I feel a free app available for smart devices can help in more areas rather than just reading. Link to article below.

https://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/a-kindle-for-the-blind-u-s-engineers-working-on-a-braille-tablet/

 

3D Touch

The technology in question that I want to explore is 3D Touch. This is a technology that is popularised by Apple and enables to sense the amount of pressure that a person is placing upon the glass when pressing down.

As of now 3D Touch allows users to access more by applying more pressure when pressing the buttons on their phone screen. These can do multiple things including quick options, saving the time to perform an action in the application you want to use.

Quick action example (Above)

More information on features that 3D Touch allows in this article: https://www.cnet.com/how-to/getting-started-with-3d-touch-on-the-iphone-6s-6s-plus/

As of now 3D Touch seems just an “ease-of-access” tool for any phone users that want to save a tedious few seconds, though when using the technology myself. I’ve found when applying more pressure that I feel the vibration towards my thumb.

This gave me the idea for pressurised vibrations that could act as braille for my project. I figured that the built in vibration receptors built into the inside of the phone could provide specific vibrations for when a finger is pressed down that it vibrates in the braille bevelled shape, thus enabling a visually impaired person to read using a smart phone.

 

 

 

Posted on

Initial Ideas

For my initial ideas I have came up with two ideas that I think I will be able to move forward with as a basis for my project.

 

Illustration

13754262_1326374044041037_305036701548535271_n

During the summer between the first and second years of University I spent some time creating illustrations. I enjoyed creating my own concepts and experimenting with different persepectives and techniques.These are specifically character illustrations (picture example is my own work). I think expanding upon this and creating a narrative and experimenting with my illustration can give me interesting results and expand my skills in unfamiliar areas.
With this idea I’d like to bring a more professional approach to in preparation for post-graduate work. I feel that if I aim to make my work more presentable and aim to bring in either potential freelance clients or employers, this will set myself up with portfolio skills and experience in selling myself for the future.
I’d like to use social media as a platform for my work. I follow many artists on social media, mainly Instagram and I find it a fantastic platform to display work.An artist that I follow for example is Nychos.

He creates abstract art pieces which are mainly featured either through murals/ graffiti and also merchandise work where he has his own website; https://rabbiteyemovement.at
His work combines unique looks into characters while using a bizarre style of combining anatomical dissections with highly detailed characters. The pieces have a very strong visual presence and are always a marvel to see.
Through his social media he has managed to build his own presence by sharing his own style. His current follower count is over half a million which has helped build traffic towards his own profiles.
He has also done commissioned pieces by networks such as Nickelodeon.
Screen Shot 2017-11-09 at 11.54.52
 Braille Touchscreen
In the world of technology, smart phones are getting even smarter and are requiring less buttons each year as the touch functions improve.While the smart phones are marching on, one area are of market is being left behind, which is support for the visually impaired.

One of the more recent innovations was 3D Touch, and I thought of the idea to enable the 3D Touch to act as braille on screen so that a visually impaired person can use the screen without specialist equipment.

The idea is that the 3D Touch would allow an impaired person to feel the vibrations of the braille language just like they would using beveled surfaces.  My hopes would be to not only allow visually impaired people to not only to be able to use smart technology but to cut the cost down by using a free app for example through the use of a phone or tablet.