PLAYING CARDS


INCLUSIVE DESIGN FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED

PUBLICATION







This publication concept piece focuses on Universally Inclusive Design. I chose to design playing cards for the blind and visually impaired after interviewing a woman who only had 5% vision in one eye. I gained insight into how the visually impaired operate in society, specifically regarding the use of playing cards, and applied this to my design.

Amaurotic = Partial or complete loss of sight.






Each Amaurotic playing card has embossed braille in the top and bottom corners. The braille does not show through the card as it is double-layered, therefore people with regular vision as well as the visually impaired or blind, have a fair playing ground. Creating a space for inclusivity and collaboration.



The logo’s form takes inspiration from the lines of a fingerprint ︎, which gives a nod to the individual’s uniqueness, whether visually impaired or not. The cards are also extra large, to provide maximum surface area for the raised patterns and braille.


The cards also have embossed patterns specific to each suite, which gives them a tactile quality, whilst having a useful purpose of differentiating suits. Players can identify the different suits without having to know braille, which is helpful as many visually-impaired people do not know how to read braille. They rely rather on their limited vision and sensitivity to touch, which I discovered through my research.





A possible roll-out would be creating a convention where people can come together and play cards, making new friends and connections. This provides the opportunity for a bridge between sectors of society that aren’t normally exposed to each other, in a fun and informal way. Normal-sighted, visually impaired, and even completely blind people can all enjoy playing with the same cards, due to their inclusive nature.





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