A lack of consistent standards? 

In the digital sphere, the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) ensure that websites and digital applications are accessible and meet the needs of all users. However, it is not possible to provide uniform, general guidance for accessible visual design. For example, it is difficult for colour-blind people to distinguish between colours with low contrast. When designing for people with dyslexia, on the other hand, it is particularly important to choose a clear, legible font. Therefore, the aspects of design that require particular attention depend on the project and the target audience.

3 tips for accessible design

The following 3 tips can help ensure accessible design: 

1. Provide clear navigation

   • Designers can use grids: many already use grids intuitively to arrange text and images. This ensures a clear layout and sufficient space between elements. 

   • The use of clear and consistent symbols and icons also makes navigation easier for users who may have difficulty perceiving small or complex elements.

   • It is also important to focus on the essentials: what can be omitted to keep the design clear? Different sizes and a clear layout help to make the order of the information clear. 

      

2. Aim for accessible typographic design

   • Here, a clear and easily readable font with simple characters is essential. Decorative fonts such as script fonts or those with complex designs should be avoided. Arial and Calibri, for example, are very familiar fonts with simple character structures 

   • There are even fonts that have been specially developed for people with dyslexia, such as Lexend from Google Fonts or OpenDyslexic by Abelardo Gonzalez, both of which are free and freely available.

   • Generally speaking, sensible spacing between individual characters, words, as well as lines and paragraphs, improves the readability of the text – even for people without visual impairments. 

   • The font size, i.e. the size of the characters, also plays a role. There are no guidelines for the ideal size, as different sizes can work to varying degrees of effectiveness depending on the format, purpose and font. Here, designers must trust their instincts and, in the case of print products, possibly produce test prints. 

      

3. Consider the use of colours in designs

   • If the text is coloured or set against a coloured background, a high contrast between the colours used is crucial. This is because people with visual impairments may perceive colours differently or not at all. For text, black on white offers the best and clearest contrast. Red on blue, on the other hand, can severely impair readability, depending on the hue and brightness. 

   • Assessing the accessibility of a contrast is often difficult to the naked eye. Various free tools are available to check for sufficient contrast, such as the contrast calculator from leserlich.info. The contrast calculator can also help to optimise images, illustrations and graphics for accessibility; particularly if these are important for conveying information. Similar colours with low contrast should not be placed next to one another here. 

    

Conclusion: Does accessibility compromise aesthetics? 

Compliance with accessibility guidelines and recommendations imposes certain limitations on design. This means, for example, that an eye-catching headline font or a specific colour scheme may not be used, even though they appear visually perfect to the designer. Designers should therefore always apply accessible design with the target audience in mind. Particularly in public spaces or when dealing with diverse population groups, it is advisable to make content accessible to everyone through graphic design. This not only promotes inclusion but also broadens the reach of the message or product, as it is accessible to a diverse target audience.

In the digital sphere, practical solutions already exist: some websites offer the option to display a high-contrast version instead of the standard view. In this version, for example, black text is displayed on a white background or decorative elements are removed to improve readability. 

More detailed tips and information on practical design:
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