Crafting Impactful Designs through Accessibility
Vachan Batavia
California College of the Arts Interaction Design ‘25 | Designer | Business Enthusiast | Taiwan International Design Competition Finalist | C-IDEA Award Winner |
??? Hey design enthusiasts! Explore design accessibility with Crafting Connections, and discover how some valuable insights can enhance your day-to-day work. ??
Now, this is not any average tech talk and we do not intend on boring you. We are going to keep it engaging through a conversational style of communicating the hacks in UX/UI design especially keeping accessibility in mind to create impactful designs in jobs, freelance or personal projects and yes of course get your design approved in the first go! ??
?? I’ll introduce myself, I am no UX perfectionist, but being a product designer with working experience in a startup as a core Industrial Designer, having a business experience and finally switching to UX Design, I understand people having a difficulty to mark their presence in UI/UX being a fresher. But here's the secret — it's okay not to have it all figured out.
Let's talk portfolios because, let's face it, your portfolio is your digital passport to job opportunities. But how do you craft one when your journey spans diverse domains? The constants are always the same which is solving problems and enhancing user experiences. Whether you're delving into design thinking or mastering tools like Figma, the mantra is simple: master the basics, accessibility is one of them.
WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) Compliance Levels
As organizations strive to meet the standards outlined in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, understanding the levels of compliance is crucial. So, let's unravel the layers of accessibility compliance and explore how contrast ratios play a pivotal role in making your website inclusive for all users.
WCAG 2.1 defines three levels of compliance: A, AA, and AAA. Level A represents the minimum level of accessibility, while AA and AAA build upon these requirements with an additional criteria. Most organizations aim for AA compliance, as it encompasses the essentials of accessibility while striving for an optimal user experience.
When it comes to contrast ratios, each level of compliance has specific requirements to ensure text readability for users with visual impairments. At Level A, a contrast ratio of at least 3:1 is mandated. Moving up to Level AA, the contrast ratio increases to 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for larger text. For the highest level of accessibility, Level AAA, the contrast ratio jumps to 7:1 for normal text and 4.5:1 for larger text.
As we navigate the complex landscape of web accessibility, understanding the WCAG compliances is essential. By prioritizing contrast ratios and striving for AA compliance level, you not only meet legal requirements but also foster a more inclusive digital environment.
Visual Accessibility
Visual accessibility isn't just about aesthetics; it's about clarity and comprehension. Imagine a user with color vision deficiency trying to decipher your design. What may seem like distinct hues to you could blend into an indistinguishable blur for them. That's where plugins like Able, Contrast Checker, and Stark come into play. These handy tools in figma help you ensure that your color choices meet WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines), making your text and elements legible for all users. But it doesn't end there. Consider the diverse spectrum of vision deficiencies—simulate them using Figma's built-in tools or plugins like Color Blind. By viewing your design through different lenses, quite literally, you gain invaluable insights into how it resonates with a broader audience.
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Now, let's zoom in on an often overlooked aspect of accessibility—focus order. Ever tabbed through a web page and found yourself lost in a labyrinth of disjointed elements? Enter Focus Order, your trusty guide through the maze of focus navigation. This nifty plugin allows you to annotate your designs, indicating the optimal sequence for focus traversal. With a simple drag-and-drop interface, you can effortlessly reorder elements, ensuring a smooth and intuitive user experience for all.
Accessibility isn't just about tools; it's a mindset—a commitment to inclusive design at every stage of the creative journey. Microsoft's inclusive design toolkit is a treasure trove of wisdom, offering valuable insights and resources for designers of all levels. It is a good starting point for beginners for further articles, trends and other useful resources.
Check out the link for the same - https://microsoft.design/.
It's not just about ticking boxes; it's about fostering empathy and understanding for diverse users. As we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of UX design, remember this: our journey is never-ending. Every plugin, every article, every tip is a stepping stone towards a more inclusive digital future. I have tried to highlight as much I can and cover the important things, but one should not stop learning especially in such an evolving field of UX Design.
For more resources visit the following bootcamp link -https://bootcamp.uxdesign.cc/crafting-accessible-experiences-10-essential-figma-plugins-for-inclusive-design-cee2d5b62af2.
To help you on your journey, we’ve gathered valuable resources:
??Embrace the ethos of accessibility in your design journey. By prioritizing inclusivity, we not only create better digital experiences but also contribute to a more equitable online world. Let's continue to champion accessibility, one design at a time. ???
Keep an eye out for the upcoming edition of Crafting Connections!