THE TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF KENYA

FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY

SCHOOL OF CREATIVE ARTS AND MEDIA

DEPARTMENT OF DESIGN AND CREATIVE MEDIA

ACDI 2021 BACHELOR OF TECHNOLOGY IN DESIGN

ACDI 3101: HUMAN ENVIRONMENTAL RELATIONS

ACDI/00961/2019 RUTH NYAMBURA MUNYIRI

RESEARCH PROJECT ONE

DESIGN INTERVENTIONS THAT PROVIDE SOLUTIONS TO HUMAN-
ENVIRONMENT RELATION PROBLEMS

Design plays a crucial role in addressing human-environment relation

problems by creating solutions that enhance sustainability, well-being
and harmony with our surroundings.

Below are structured arguments showcasing how design can intervene

to provide solutions for observed human-environment relation
problems;

1. Sustainable Architecture and Urban Planning:

Design interventions in architecture and urban planning can
address environmental challenges. Sustainable building designs
such as green roofs and energy-efficient structures, reduce
energy consumption and carbon emissions.
Urban planning that prioritizes public transportation, walkability
and green spaces can reduce reliance on individual vehicles
leading to lower air pollution thus fostering a better human-
environment relationship.

2. Inclusive Design for Accessibility:

Design can enhance the relationship between individuals and
their environment by ensuring inclusivity. Inclusive design
principles in product development and architecture consider
people of all abilities, ages and backgrounds. Features like
ramps, wider doorways and accessible public spaces not only
 accommodate diverse needs but also foster a sense of belonging
and equity in society.

3. Waste reduction and Circular Design:

The human-environment relationship is often strained due to
overconsumption and waste. Design can intervene by promoting
the principles of recycling, re-use and circular design. Products
designed for recycling reduce waste and conserve resources,
contributing to a more sustainable relationship with the
environment.

4. Eco-friendly Transportation Solutions:

Transport is a major contributor to environmental problems.
Designing eco-friendly and efficient modes of transportation,
such as electric vehicles, public transit systems and cycling
infrastructure, helps reduce congestion and the overall ecological
footprint of human mobility.

5. Biophilic Design for well-being:

Human well-being is closely tied to our connection with nature.
Biophilic design incorporates natural elements such as indoor
spaces. Such designs improve mental health, reduce stress and
enhance productivity, demonstrating how design can contribute
to a healthier human-environment relationship.
TITLE: ADVANCING INCLUSIVE DESIGN FOR ENHANCED PUBLIC
AND PRIVATE LIFE: A COMPREHENSIVE RESEARCH PLAN
Introduction:

This research seeks to develop innovative products, spaces, services,

systems and interventions that prioritize inclusive design principles to
improve the quality of life for individuals in both public and private
settings.

Inclusive design fosters environments that accommodate people of

diverse abilities, backgrounds and needs, ensuring equitable access
and participation.

Research Objectives:

 To establish a comprehensive understanding of inclusive design

principles and their application in various domains, including
architecture, products, services and systems.
 To identify the specific needs and challenges faced by individuals
in both public and private settings that can be addressed
through inclusive design.
 To develop and prototype products, spaces and services that
embrace inclusive design, to address the identified needs and
challenges.
 To evaluate the effectiveness and impact of the developing
solutions in enhancing inclusivity and the overall quality of life in
public and private life.
LITERATURE REVIEW ON THE PRINCIPLES OF INCLUSIVE DESIGN

Inclusive design, also known as universal design, is an approach that

aims to create products, environments and systems that are accessible
and usable by a wide range of people, regardless of their age, ability or
background.

Below is an extensive literature review of the principles of inclusive

design;

1. Universal Design Principles

Universal design principles is rooted in the seven principles
developed by the Center for Universal Design at North Carolina
State University. These principles emphasize equitable use,
flexibility in use, simple and intuitive use, perceptible
information, tolerance for error, low physical effort, size and
space for approach and use.

2. Accessible Technology and Digital Inclusion

Inclusive design extends to the digital realm, where we
accessibility guidelines, such as the Web Content Accessibility
Guidelines (WCAG), promote principles like perceivability,
operability, to ensure digital content and services are accessible
to people with disabilities.

3. User-centered Design
Inclusive design embraces user-centered design principles,
emphasizing the importance of involving end-users in the design
 process, understanding their diverse needs and incorporating
their feedback.

4. Participatory Design
Engaging diverse user groups in the design process through
participatory design methods ensures that the final product or
environment meets their unique requirements.

5. Designing for Aging Populations

Inclusive design recognizes the growing elderly population and
considers their needs in product and environment design,
including features like non-slip surfaces, clear signage and easy-
to-use interfaces.

6. Inclusivity in Architecture
In architecture, inclusive design principles encompass barrier-
free environments with features like ramps, elevators and
accessible signage. Prominent architects like Michael Graves and
Richard Rogers have emphasized the importance of inclusivity.

7. Ethical Considerations
Inclusive design is intertwined with ecological considerations
related to social justice, equal opportunities and human rights.
Ethical frameworks inform the practice of inclusive design.

8. Environmental Inclusivity
Beyond human inclusivity, designers are extending inclusive
principles to promote environmental sustainability, addressing
 concerns like climate change, biodiversity and resource
conservation.

CASE STUDIES ON SUCCESSFUL INCLUSIVE DESIGN

1. The London 2012 Paralympic Games

The London 2012 Paralympic Games incorporated inclusive

design principles into the design of facilities and events,
providing accessible venues and ensuring that athletes and
spectators with various disabilities had equal access.

Fig. London 2012 Paralympics (chrome)

2. The OXO Grips Kitchen Tools

OXO’s kitchen tools are an excellent example of how inclusive

design can create products that are easy to use for individuals
with various abilities.
The company’s products feature ergonomic handles and tactile
grips that accommodate users with limited dexterity.
 Fig. OXO grips kitchen tools (google)

3. Curb Cuts and Sidewalk Ramps

Curb cuts, designed for wheelchair users, also benefit

pedestrians with strollers, delivery workers with carts and
cyclists. This case study demonstrates how inclusive design can
provide benefits to a wider range of users.

Fig. sidewalk and curb ramp (chrome) Fig. The curb cut effect (Wikipedia)

4. Accessible Public Transportation Systems

Various cities worldwide have implemented inclusive design

principles in public transportation systems, making buses,
 subways and trams accessible to individuals with mobility
challenges. These case studies highlight the success of such
initiatives.

Fig. Inclusive design in bus rapid transit systems (chrome)

5. Apple’s Accessibility Features

Apple’s inclusive design approach in their products includes
accessibility features like Voiceover, Switch control and
Magnifier, benefiting users with disabilities while enhancing the
overall user experience.

Fig. Apple accessibility director (google) Fig. iPhone applications (chrome)

6. The Eden Project, UK

The Eden Project is an environmentally inclusive attraction

designed with sustainability in mind. The architecture of its
biomes and landscapes encourages understanding and
appreciation of nature for all visitors, including those with
disabilities.
 Fig. The Eden Project (Wikipedia)

These case studies demonstrate that inclusive design principles can be

applied across various domains, from sports events and consumer
products to public infrastructure and environmental projects, making
life more accessible and enjoyable for a diverse range of individuals.

In each case, inclusive design has led to successful outcomes by

considering the needs and capabilities of a broad audience.

Project title: A VISION FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED

This project design approach intends to prioritize inclusivity and

accessibility for those with visual impairments.

BRAILLE CLOTHING
Braille + Fashion=Beautiful Inclusive Design

Project by Ruth Nyambura Munyiri

Dated 20th October 2023

INTRODUCTION

Braille clothing is designing of clothes in muted colours on which a

braille identification system had been printed.

Fashion is so much more than it’s visual aspects, it’s possible to enjoy
it and have a passion for it despite having low or no vision and there
are so many visually impaired people out there who can advocate this
message.

Independence in dressing is an important skill for everyone including

individuals who are visually impaired. It enables them to have clothing
management skills.

Recently, I have interacted and had conversations with people in my

locally visually impaired community which has contributed to my
source of art.

PROBLEM STATEMENT

Despite the expansive growth of fashion industry, disabled people are

still a minority and are under-represented. Designing for maximum
accessibility can empower those with disabilities.

Matching and identification of clothes on a daily basis by those who are

visually impaired is a complex task. Getting dressed when you are
visually impaired presents challenges that those of us privileged
enough to have sight don’t understand. Creativity and proper
organization of clothes will help in fulfilling this task.

Selecting clothes with appropriate colours is considered as one of the

significant challenges which is repeatedly faced by the visually
impaired people.
These challenges pertain to difficulties in recognizing the stitching
pattern tags on clothes which forces visually impaired people to wear
clothes without any pattern or of uniform colours.

The fact that you can read through touch is amazing. This project
intends to make the fashion industry more inclusive by making sure
that the disabled voices are at the forefront of the design process.

Adaptable fashion will raise the bar in fashion and help advocate for
people with disabilities in Kenya.

BRAILLE PRINTING DESIGN

Braille Font

The braille font, shortly braille, is a writing system made up of dot

patterns for blind people. In order to read them, the dot patterns are
felt with the finger tips. Each character consists of 6 dots, resulting in
64 possible combinations. These letters and numbers and many other
symbols are educible.

Objectives

 To understand the problems faced by the visually impaired in

context to their clothing.
 To know the information the visually impaired need about their
clothes.
 To study about the appropriate methods that could be used to
provide subjective information related to clothes in a non-visual
form.

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  To come up with a design solution that would make clothing
more adaptable and informative for the visually impaired people.

Braille printing design is a great way to be able to advocate and

express the importance of accessibility in fashion. And really, in the
end, it’s just so clear that thinking about inclusivity at the very
beginning of the design process you can truly make a product that can
be worn by anyone.

This project intends to design a clothing system for the visually

impaired to assist them in becoming self-reliant and independent when
choosing clothes. The designs, which will come in muted colours, will
help them to identify the colour, size, wash care instructions and style
descriptions of a garment which is printed on it.

Fig. Illustration of braille printing design (google)

Adding braille beading on clothing such that it’s really aesthetically

pleasing but functionally, it allows anyone who can read braille to fully
envision what the clothing is all about. This will enable them to read
exactly what the colour of the garment is, what the decorations are,
how it can be laundered and how it’s supposed to fit.

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Fig. Braille in beads (chrome) Fig. Braille beading in clothing (chrome)

Advantages of Braille

 It has a role in education, orientation and mobility

communication and identification. Braille allows the blind and
partially sighted people to learn spelling, grammar and
punctuation and gain an understanding of how text is formatted.

 It is essential to blind people as it gives them the skills to read.

 It is easily learned, read and printed.

 It adapts to technology.

Disadvantages

 Once created or printed, the errors cannot be erased.

 Only the blind can read, the sighted people who have not learnt
can’t be able to read.

 It is costly.

The designs will be discussed with different individuals to bring braille

samples and confirm that all the beading and printing on the clothing

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is legible and are in places that are comfortable to wear and look
great. On the aesthetic portion of it, the work will be done directly with
individuals who are fully sighted, who love fashion so that the entire
process maintains the fashion appeal.

The project also intends to include badges like chips that provide
enough space for information, in addition to being washable. With the
help of this patented procedure, it is possible to embroider the braille
alphabet on textiles.

Fig. Braille printed t-shirt(google) Fig. Braille tag on shoe and braille printed dress

This process;

 Is comparatively cost efficient.

 Generates information which is embroidered with the same

material.

 Generates information which is readable without further auxiliary

means.

 Provides information for any interested party.

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CONCLUSION

As it is understood, the visually impaired people need both subjective

and objective information related to their clothing, hence information
in a form which is understandable such as braille, would make them
more independent during their clothing selection and identification.

Designing for inclusivity for the visually impaired is not just about
addressing immediate accessibility concerns; it’s a transformative
approach that positively influences the human-environment
relationship.

Eliminating barriers and ensuring equal participation, enhances the

quality of life for visually impaired individuals, fosters a culture of
inclusivity and contributes to a more equitable and harmonious society
where everyone can thrive.

REFERENCES

1. Story, MF (2001). Principles of universal design. In W. F. E.

Preiser & E. Ostroff (Eds.), Universal Design handbook (pp. 10.3-
10.19). New York: McGraw-Hill

2. Selecting and purchasing clothing: The experience of visually

impaired people In Hong Kong. Journal Of Visual Impairment &
Blindness, 94, 34-42,

3. WBU-AP(Junior Group) Fine work

4. “Sustainable by Design: Explorations in Theory and Practice” by

Stuart Walker and Jacques Giard

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 5. “Design for the Real World: Human Ecology and Social Change”
by Victor Papanek

6. “Inclusive Design: A Universal Need” by Alex Woolner

7. “Resilience Thinking: Sustaining Ecosystems and People in a

Changing World” by Brian Walker and David Salt

8. “Biophilic Design: The Theory, Science and Practice of Bringing

Buildings to Life” by Stephen R. Kellert, Judith H. Heerwagen, and
Martin Mador

9. “Design Thinking for the Greater Good: Innovation in the Social

Sector” by Jeanne Liedtka, Randy Salzman, and Daisy Azer