Inspired by my friend Ada, who is blind, AudioJourney addresses the limitations of standard mobile phone audio recording, which often lacks intuitive interaction for visually impaired users. AudioJourney is a lightweight, portable device designed to empower visually impaired travelers to capture and cherish their experiences independently. Each city has its own version of AudioJourney, tailored to highlight accessible tourist attractions for the blind community. Recognizing that users often need one hand free to hold a white cane, AudioJourney is crafted to be slim and easy to carry.
To prioritize accessibility, it features only two tactile buttons—one for power and one for recording. Each button has a unique texture, representing specific accessible destinations, allowing users to intuitively record memories tied to these locations.
During the design research process, I conducted several user interviews to understand their experiences with memory preservation and the challenges they face with sound recording. Throughout prototyping, I invited users to participate in multiple tests, evaluating materials, tactile feedback, product interaction, and overall usability. Their insights were invaluable in shaping the final design, ensuring that AudioJourney truly meets their needs.
For prototyping, I used a Raspberry Pi to create a functional model, with plans to incorporate a compact voice recording module in the final design, ensuring both simplicity and functionality. This minimalistic approach makes AudioJourney an accessible and meaningful tool for travelers with visual impairments, enhancing their ability to document and relive their journeys.
This design had been exhibited for three days. I was glad that two of my interviewers came to celebrate my showcase. The picture showed how Ada interacted with AudioJourney. Having their support is my biggest achievement in this design.
This project taught me valuable insights about accessible design for the blind community. For instance, while designing the square shape, I realized the importance of carefully selecting the circular on/off button, as it significantly impacts ease of use. It also became clear that every detail must be described thoroughly to help users visualize and understand how to interact with the device.
I am deeply grateful to my blind friends who supported me and provided invaluable feedback throughout the design process. This experience reinforced my commitment to user-centered design, aiming to create thoughtful, accessible solutions from start to finish.
