Packaging is largely designed based on the functionality and preferences of healthy individuals, often neglecting the needs of minorities, such as the blind and visually impaired. The latter face numerous challenges in their daily lives due to visual impairments, with one of the key issues being the difficulty in obtaining information from their surroundings. Accessibility of information on packaging is crucial for the blind and visually impaired, as it enables independence in shopping and product use.
The purpose of this thesis was to examine existing solutions on the market and identify key considerations in the process of designing packaging tailored to blind and visually impaired users. Based on the findings, we designed sample brochures that were subsequently tested with the target group. Their feedback was then analyzed, and a proposal for improved packaging was presented. Our goal is to raise awareness among society and packaging designers about the importance of creating packaging that is accessible to everyone.
The thesis is divided into two parts: theoretical and experimental. In the theoretical part, we examined the target group (functioning of vision, types of visual impairments), provided basic information about packaging (e.g., functions and materials), and presented possible adaptations of packaging for blind and visually impaired users. Based on the findings from the theoretical part, we then proceeded to design packaging for solid soap in the experimental part. The experimental section covered the design, production, and testing of the brochure. Through testing, we determined the importance of making packaging design as simple, transparent, and inclusive of tactile surfaces (e.g., cutouts) as possible.
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