DYSLEXIC-FRIENDLY UI

DESIGNING USER INTERFACE LAYOUTS FOR DYSLEXIC AUDIENCES

FINAL PRODUCT

This project involved the creation of a Unity prototype interface associated with a concept game. The focus of the work was on educating myself on the design considerations for dyslexic users. Understanding the frequent challenges they face in screen-based environments. The final prototype showcases features which are designed to allow dyslexic players to customise the experience in-line with their preferences for easier comprehension.

The prototype includes four key settings to create a more accessible, dyslexia-friendly interface:

Dyslexic-Friendly Toggle
Switches the default font to OpenDyslexic, a typeface with weighted letters and wider spacing to reduce visual crowding. It also adds icons alongside relevant text to reduce reliance on reading alone.

Font Size

Users can choose from three font sizes: 25pt, 30pt, and 35pt. Larger text can help reduce reading errors and improve comprehension for some dyslexic readers.

Background Colour
Allows users to change the background to white, black, cream, red, blue, or green. This helps reduce glare, which can be distracting or uncomfortable for many dyslexic users.

Text Colour
Text colour can also be customised with the same six colour options, enhancing readability and user comfort.

By offering these customisations, the interface accommodates the diverse needs of dyslexic users, ensuring a more effective and inclusive experience.

ABOUT THIS PROJECT

This project acted as my final university piece - the honours project. I chose this topic for my research as I felt it was a chance to explore the challenges of users with additional needs in a relevant context to my interests. This project allowed me to learn, and also to pass on my findings to other designers to raise awareness of the needs of dyslexic audiences.

I completed a dissertation alongside the practical work which involved researching the common frustrations of UI for the target audience. I also investigated applied solutions to these challenges in sample games. This informed my understanding of the dyslexic communities needs and provided the foundation for my practical prototype.