Which way is up? Designing games for the blind #1

Angled corner on the Player Pieces box.

Challenges of Designing Table Games for the Blind

Designing table games for the blind can be a delightful yet intricate adventure!

This is the first of a series where I discuss the lessons I've learned along the road.

I have always been a visual artist working on various forms of entertainment. Over my career I've designed theatre scenery, lights, and props. My master degree focused on computer graphics and animation. I've also designed interactive games for touring exhibitions with themes from major films: Jurassic World, The Avengers, and the Hunger Games. For all of these I've relied on visual design motifs.

I’m now learning an entire new set of design strategies, and finding a balance with my visual skills. Since I started this journey I’ve acknowledged there is a ton to learn, “I don’t know what I don’t know.” Today’s topic is a perfect example.

Which way is up?

In hindsight it’s obvious that a blind person would not know which way is up on an object. I was working on this game design for months before I realized this, relying on my visual ignorance.

I’m working with an advisor who works with the blind and visually impaired across Iowa. She has been invaluable. She pointed out that there is no inherent up for braille, and people can try to read it upside down. She shared that she cuts the top right corner off of documents so the blind will know which way is up.

My current game has multiple items that need to have the correct side up. There is a game board and a score board. Correct orientation is important. So I adopted the diagonal top/right corner into my designs.

The image here shows the top/right corner of one of the boxes for the game pieces. The top/right corner is angled at 45 degrees, where the other corners are rounded. The braille on this example says “player pieces.” I incorporated this same diagonal corner on the game and score boards. I know it’s arbitrary, but as long as I’m consistent within all of my games it should help the player experience.

I have also learned that there are different styles of braille. This includes the representation of numbers. Numbers are important in my game. My advisor suggested using the “Nemeth braille code for mathematics” from the American Printing House for the Blind.

For braille words there are two main types: uncontracted and contracted. Uncontracted braille spells out each letter, and contracted braille using abbreviations for common words and phrases. I’m using uncontracted because most of my braille serves as labels.

I have a ton more to learn. I appreciate you joining me on this journey.

Next up: Tactile Design