Indi Visuals: Designing Navigation for the Visually Impaired
Indi Visuals: Designing Navigation for the Visually Impaired
A navigation app designed to empower visually impaired users by addressing the 67% who struggle with unsafe, unreliable wayfinding
A navigation app designed to empower visually impaired users by addressing the 67% who struggle with unsafe, unreliable wayfinding
A navigation app designed to empower visually impaired users by addressing the 67% who struggle with unsafe, unreliable wayfinding
Role
UX/UI Designer
Industry
Assistive Technology
Duration
3 months
Project Background
Project Background
The idea for INDI began to take shape when I noticed how often visually impaired people rely on others just to move through places they know well. Many shared how current navigation apps feel confusing because the voice instructions are unclear or arrive too late, making simple routes harder than they should be. As I spent more time listening to their experiences and observing how they navigate daily life, I started imagining what a navigation tool would look like if it were designed entirely from their perspective. INDI grew from this curiosity and from the need to create a clearer and more reassuring way for visually impaired users to travel with confidence.
The idea for INDI began to take shape when I noticed how often visually impaired people rely on others just to move through places they know well. Many shared how current navigation apps feel confusing because the voice instructions are unclear or arrive too late, making simple routes harder than they should be. As I spent more time listening to their experiences and observing how they navigate daily life, I started imagining what a navigation tool would look like if it were designed entirely from their perspective. INDI grew from this curiosity and from the need to create a clearer and more reassuring way for visually impaired users to travel with confidence.
Problem
Problem
While exploring the everyday travel experiences of visually impaired users, it became clear that most navigation tools fall short of supporting independent movement. The guidance they receive often lacks clarity and consistency, which makes it difficult to trust the app during real-world navigation. This leads to moments of hesitation and uncertainty, pushing users to rely on others even when they want to move on their own.
While exploring the everyday travel experiences of visually impaired users, it became clear that most navigation tools fall short of supporting independent movement. The guidance they receive often lacks clarity and consistency, which makes it difficult to trust the app during real-world navigation. This leads to moments of hesitation and uncertainty, pushing users to rely on others even when they want to move on their own.
Research: Competitive & SWOT Analyses
Research: Competitive & SWOT Analyses
Be My Eyes
The introduction of Be My Eyes transformed the way visually impaired users seek assistance in their daily lives. By connecting users with a global network of volunteers, the app created an immediate support system for tasks that require visual clarity, from reading labels to identifying surroundings.
This real-time human connection not only bridges accessibility gaps but also reinforces a sense of independence for users who need quick visual confirmation without relying solely on those around them
Be My Eyes
The introduction of Be My Eyes transformed the way visually impaired users seek assistance in their daily lives. By connecting users with a global network of volunteers, the app created an immediate support system for tasks that require visual clarity, from reading labels to identifying surroundings.
This real-time human connection not only bridges accessibility gaps but also reinforces a sense of independence for users who need quick visual confirmation without relying solely on those around them
RightHear
RightHear emerged as an important step toward making public spaces more inclusive for visually impaired individuals. By using audio descriptions triggered through installed beacons, the app provides clear orientation cues within malls, campuses, and transportation hubs.
This environment-aware system helps users understand their location, nearby points of interest, and safe paths to follow, offering a level of spatial confidence that traditional navigation apps often fail to deliver.
RightHear
RightHear emerged as an important step toward making public spaces more inclusive for visually impaired individuals. By using audio descriptions triggered through installed beacons, the app provides clear orientation cues within malls, campuses, and transportation hubs.
This environment-aware system helps users understand their location, nearby points of interest, and safe paths to follow, offering a level of spatial confidence that traditional navigation apps often fail to deliver.
User Surveys & Interviews
User Surveys & Interviews
While exploring the everyday travel experiences of visually impaired users, it became clear that most navigation tools fall short of supporting independent movement. The guidance they receive often lacks clarity and consistency, which makes it difficult to trust the app during real-world navigation. This leads to moments of hesitation and uncertainty, pushing users to rely on others even when they want to move on their own.
While exploring the everyday travel experiences of visually impaired users, it became clear that most navigation tools fall short of supporting independent movement. The guidance they receive often lacks clarity and consistency, which makes it difficult to trust the app during real-world navigation. This leads to moments of hesitation and uncertainty, pushing users to rely on others even when they want to move on their own.
User Survey Takeaways
User Survey Takeaways
76% of users find that the apps they regularly use are not accessible, which highlights a significant gap in app accessibility.
80% of users believe that accessibility should be a priority in the apps they use regularly. This indicates a strong demand for improved accessibility features.
62% of users agree that there is a need for better design in assistive technology applications, showing a clear need for design improvements in this space.
There is a growing awareness and user demand for accessibility in tech, which suggests that developers and designers should focus more on inclusive design practices.
76% of users find that the apps they regularly use are not accessible, which highlights a significant gap in app accessibility.
80% of users believe that accessibility should be a priority in the apps they use regularly. This indicates a strong demand for improved accessibility features.
62% of users agree that there is a need for better design in assistive technology applications, showing a clear need for design improvements in this space.
There is a growing awareness and user demand for accessibility in tech, which suggests that developers and designers should focus more on inclusive design practices.
Card Sorts & Affinity Mapping
Card Sorts & Affinity Mapping
After the results, I ventured into the engaging phases of card sorting and affinity mapping. This interactive stage is particularly enlightening, as it allows us to immerse ourselves in the world of our users, extracting powerful narratives from their shared experiences, and translating this collective voice into an intuitive and empathetic design structure.
Through this process, I not only categorized key features and content but also mapped out the emotional and practical pathways that our users navigate in their educational journey.
After the results, I ventured into the engaging phases of card sorting and affinity mapping. This interactive stage is particularly enlightening, as it allows us to immerse ourselves in the world of our users, extracting powerful narratives from their shared experiences, and translating this collective voice into an intuitive and empathetic design structure.
Through this process, I not only categorized key features and content but also mapped out the emotional and practical pathways that our users navigate in their educational journey.
Empathy Mapping
Empathy Mapping
I created the empathy map to understand how visually impaired users experience navigation on a deeper level. It helped me see what they go through in real situations, not just what they say in surveys. This clarity shaped the design of INDI and ensured the solution supported them in a more meaningful and practical way.
I created the empathy map to understand how visually impaired users experience navigation on a deeper level. It helped me see what they go through in real situations, not just what they say in surveys. This clarity shaped the design of INDI and ensured the solution supported them in a more meaningful and practical way.
Meet the Users:
Meet the Users:
To build meaningful personas for INDI, I focused on understanding how visually impaired users navigate their daily routines and the challenges they face with existing tools. By engaging directly with users through accessibility communities and conversations, I gathered insights that revealed their goals, frustrations, and expectations from assistive technology. This helped me shape personas that accurately represent their lived experiences and mobility needs, ensuring the design direction stays grounded in real user behavior.
Wireframes
Wireframes
User Interface Design
User Interface Design
As I transitioned into designing the user interface for INDI, I wanted every element to feel natural and intuitive for someone navigating without sight. The personas I created became a constant reminder of how each decision needed to support clarity, comfort, and independence. I refined layouts, adjusted hierarchy, and simplified interactions so the interface could work effortlessly with screen readers and voice-guided navigation. This process helped me shape a UI that doesn’t just look clean visually, but feels genuinely usable and reassuring for the people who depend on it every day.
As I transitioned into designing the user interface for INDI, I wanted every element to feel natural and intuitive for someone navigating without sight. The personas I created became a constant reminder of how each decision needed to support clarity, comfort, and independence. I refined layouts, adjusted hierarchy, and simplified interactions so the interface could work effortlessly with screen readers and voice-guided navigation. This process helped me shape a UI that doesn’t just look clean visually, but feels genuinely usable and reassuring for the people who depend on it every day.
INDI taught me
INDI taught me
INDI taught me
Working on INDI showed me how deeply thoughtful design can impact someone’s daily independence. Collaborating with visually impaired users pushed me to think beyond visuals and prioritize clarity, trust, and simplicity at every step. This project strengthened my belief that meaningful design starts with listening, and it reaffirmed the importance of creating experiences that truly support the people who rely on them.
Working on INDI showed me how deeply thoughtful design can impact someone’s daily independence. Collaborating with visually impaired users pushed me to think beyond visuals and prioritize clarity, trust, and simplicity at every step. This project strengthened my belief that meaningful design starts with listening, and it reaffirmed the importance of creating experiences that truly support the people who rely on them.