How can you design for accessibility and inclusivity using Sketch?

1 Choose the right colors

Color is a powerful element of visual communication, but it can also create barriers and confusion for some users, especially those with color vision deficiencies or low vision. To design for accessibility and inclusivity using Sketch, you need to choose colors that are contrasted enough to be legible and distinguishable, and that do not rely on hue alone to convey meaning or functionality. You can use Sketch's built-in color picker to check the contrast ratio of your colors, and adjust them accordingly. You can also use plugins like Stark or Contrast to test your colors for different types of color blindness, and to generate accessible color palettes.

2 Use clear and consistent typography

Typography is another key factor of readability and usability, and it can affect how users perceive and interact with your content. To design for accessibility and inclusivity using Sketch, you need to use clear and consistent typography that is easy to scan, understand, and navigate. You can use Sketch's text styles to create and apply a coherent typographic hierarchy, and to ensure that your font sizes, weights, and alignments are appropriate for different devices and screen sizes. You can also use plugins like Fontily or Sketch Style Libraries to manage and update your fonts across your project.

3 Incorporate icons and illustrations

Icons and illustrations can enhance the visual appeal and the functionality of your design, by adding personality, context, and feedback. However, they can also pose challenges for some users, especially those with cognitive impairments or screen readers. To design for accessibility and inclusivity using Sketch, you need to incorporate icons and illustrations that are simple, intuitive, and relevant, and that complement rather than replace your text. You can use Sketch's symbols to create and reuse icons and illustrations across your project, and to ensure that they are consistent and scalable. You can also use plugins like Iconify or Sketch Icons to import and customize icons from various libraries.

4 Add alternative text and labels

Alternative text and labels are essential for making your design accessible and inclusive for users who rely on assistive technologies, such as screen readers or voice control. They provide descriptive and informative text that explains the content and purpose of your images, icons, buttons, and other interactive elements. To design for accessibility and inclusivity using Sketch, you need to add alternative text and labels to your elements, using the alt text and label fields in the inspector panel. You can also use plugins like Sketch Alt or Sketch Accessibility to generate and edit alternative text and labels automatically.

5 Test and validate your design

Testing and validating your design is the final and most important step of designing for accessibility and inclusivity using Sketch. It allows you to check the performance and the usability of your design, and to identify and fix any issues or errors that might affect your users. To design for accessibility and inclusivity using Sketch, you need to test and validate your design using various methods and tools, such as prototyping, user testing, accessibility audits, and feedback. You can use Sketch's native prototyping features to create and share interactive prototypes, and to simulate different scenarios and user flows. You can also use plugins like Sketch Measure or Sketch Preview to export and inspect your design specifications, and to preview your design on different devices and browsers.