BSL Diagrams - Fingerspelling

After photographing each of the letters for finger spelling I have now began to start producing the diagrams. I think that diagrams are a much cleaner/simpler way of representing what to do. Although photographs are more realistic, with diagrams I am able to strip back unnecessary information. Although I have tried to include certain bits of information that are not vital. e.g. crease marks within hands. The reason for the inclusion of such information is that it allows for an element of reality in a very 2D representation, and is perhaps more relatable.


I started testing pastel colours for the background of the diagrams, however found that attention was drawn away from the action because of the high contrast and brightness.


It is perhaps more functional to use a greyscale image and so here I have been testing out different tones and contrasts to see which is most usable.





A, B, C, D - Interesting to see how the images are working together as a series



Series of letters, not in order



Thinking about how the images might be presented as a series, since there are 26 images, what kind of format does this fit into, and does it allow for added info?



Perhaps presenting them within a strip. Need to think about what is going to work best for which environment. Where can the information be displayed? For offices...memo pads, mouse mats? What is present/easily accessible but not going to be ignored? Maybe more fun applications?

Labelling things with finger spelling: m.u.g.
Calender/diary: a.p.r.i.l. / m.o.n.d.a.y.
What methods of learning are there?!

Supporting the image with the letter. The placement of the letter needs to be consistant and so having it within the image is not viable.



Considering how letters may be included below the image and supported with explanatory text. It's important the user knows that these diagrams are shown from the users point of view. Hopefully the text will clarify what to do if any confusion but I wonder whether it is necessary or not. I'm wary of repeating information. For vowels I am considering highlighting the type in a secondary colour since they all have a similar logic behind how they work.

I am considering whether it might be useful to include ways of remembering what to do. e.g. for B it should look like a B lying on it's side.

J & H are different to the other letters since they require movement. To indicate this I have used an arrow + the secondary colour.

I have began looking at how these might fit into formats so that I can start exploring the inclusion of supportive text. However I think an important step is going to be user testing with people who do not know how to finger spell. And see whether they are able to understand the diagrams.

I also have agreed to meet with a representative for the Deaf Accessibility department for Leeds City Council and so this should be useful in defining more problems to overcome and I hope to get some feedback on these as well.