Eliya
Accessible Preschool
Client: Eliya Association (Petah Tikva Branch)
Collaboration: Sharon Danzig Studio | Graphic Design: Marva Mor
The Background: Eliya is a national organization, founded in 1982, dedicated to advancing children with blindness or visual impairments.
The Objective: To design and develop a dedicated wayfinding and signage system tailored specifically for visually impaired kindergarteners.
The Approach: Designing for visual impairment required adopting the users' perspective and strictly applying inclusive design methodologies. The ultimate goal was to deliver practical, real-world solutions that help the children easily and independently navigate the facility.
Key Insight & Strategy
Since recognizing visual graphics is naturally challenging for individuals with visual impairments, my design process prioritized the tactile properties of the signage and spatial elements. This approach leverages a well-known sensory mechanism: compensating for reduced vision through a heightened sense of touch.
Execution
The practical application of our research insights resulted in a 3D signage system tailored for quick, clear, and intuitive tactile comprehension. However, alongside this tactile functionality, maintaining a high standard of visual aesthetics remained a crucial consideration to accommodate sighted users as well.
Implementation
The final deliverables included tactile signage solutions integrated along the building's walls, mounted on handrails, and positioned at key locations throughout the facility. These placements were carefully mapped out based on a strategic analysis of the kindergarteners' primary movement patterns and circulation routes.