What strategies do you use to ensure that your designs are accessible to all users?

During my final year at college, I worked on a project to design a mobile app aimed at helping users with visual impairments navigate public spaces. I conducted user research by interviewing individuals with varying degrees of vision loss to understand their challenges. Based on this feedback, I implemented features like voice commands, high contrast color schemes, and tactile buttons. Additionally, I ensured that the app's layout was intuitive and easy to navigate by using familiar icons and gestures. This experience taught me the importance of involving users in the design process and allowed me to create a more functional and accessible product that received positive feedback from my peers and professors.

As a volunteer for a local community center, I was responsible for designing promotional flyers for various events. To ensure these materials were accessible to everyone, I used clear fonts, high-contrast colors, and included alt text descriptions for images. I also created versions of the flyers in braille and ensured they were available in large print. By doing this, I not only made the information accessible but also raised awareness among my fellow volunteers about the importance of considering accessibility in all aspects of design. This experience reinforced my belief that thoughtful design can have a significant positive impact on the community.

In my first role as a junior designer, I was tasked with improving the accessibility of our company's website. I began by conducting an accessibility audit using tools like WAVE and axe. I identified several areas for improvement, such as adding alternative text for images, ensuring proper heading structure, and enhancing keyboard navigation. I collaborated with the development team to implement these changes and conducted usability testing with users who had disabilities. The project not only improved user experience but also increased our website's traffic from diverse user groups. This experience taught me the value of continuous improvement and the impact of inclusive design on broader audience reach.