This project is part of my larger thesis project titled 'Beyond The Visuals: Re-imagining Digital Accessibility for Blind and Low-Vision Communities' within the Products of Design Master program at the School of Visual Arts. It focuses on addressing real-life challenges faced by screen reader users in busy restaurant environments.

Subject:
Accessibility

Role:
Research & Design(3D)

Team:
Solo project

Problem statement

Locating QR codes

Imagine yourself sitting in a restaurant without the ability to see. How would you begin the process of ordering with your smartphone? A VocalEyes survey revealed that 60% of customers with visual impairments face challenges when using QR codes independently, mainly due to the difficulty of locating them.

Design space

A Consistent Standard
for the Location

Based on focus group interviews, I discovered that a simple solution to the issue of QR code accessibility is to establish a consistent standard for their placement, such as using dedicated objects that are easier to spot and point at during the scanning process.

Directions

Multi-functional

Combination of a mood light and QR code sign to fit on already crowded restaurant tables

Dimly-lit Environment

Easy QR scanning in all lighting conditions, including dimly lit environments.

Affordable

A simple and minimal structure to reduce costs for bundled purchases

Direction 1

Table Ambient Light

The Beacon's unique design features a two-way lighting system that creates a beautiful reflection on the table. while the top light functions as a backlight for the QR code.

Direction 2

QR scanning in
all light condition

Through prototyping, I was able to validate one of the key hypotheses that a backlit QR code is much easier to scan without using the flash on the phone.

direction 3

Affordability is accessibility

I minimized the number of parts needed, including diffusers, a main body, and chargeable lighting parts, to keep the cost per unit down. Since bulk purchasing by restaurant owners is critical to its core concept, to create consistent standards for the QR code location.

Form Study

Easy on the eyes,
Easy on the hands

The design focuses on both visual and tactile aspects. I ensured that the Beacon was easy on the eyes, but also on the hands. The concave surface on top invites touch. There is a braille indicator on the surface to help BLV users locate the exact scanning point.

"Interacting with servers
is another big obstacle we face"

"Sometimes, I need to call the restaurant because I cannot signal the waiter to request the bill.”

During user testing sessions with the prototype, I identified another crucial pain point that revolves around the interaction between customers and servers. This pain point specifically involves the heavy reliance on eye contact, which I took into account when refining the design.

Additional Feature

Subtle signaling

To address this, I incorporated a subtle signaling feature into my design. By flipping over the light, customers can signal servers when they need assistance — so simply flip it over to signal.

Beacon QR Code Sign