Consistency of a Tactile Pattern Set

Abstract

Consistency over multiple images is a central requirement in most guidelines for creating tactile graphics. By contrast, tactile consistency over multiple production media for tactile graphics is not very common. In this article, we describe a user-centered approach of developing a tactile fill pattern set to be used for tactile graphics on microcapsule paper, tactile matrix embossers, and dynamic tactile pin-matrix devices. We show the results of our iterative user evaluations with visually impaired and blind-folded sighted participants. Finally, we present a Scalable Vector Graphics pattern set that comprises nine intuitively recognizable and distinctive patterns keeping their meaning and recognizability over the different production media.