From the insights gathered from previous co-design and evaluation sessions, the final globe was constructed by 3D printing continents based on CAD models developed from GIS data. Audio labels were developed through the use of my custom adaptation of the PenFriend voice labelling system. This system for blind and low-vision users consists of a digital recording pen which reads the barcodes form adhesive stickers. This system allows the user to place the pen on the barcode sticker and save a custom audio recording. 3D raised line “dots” were applied to the surfaces of the 3D continents to convey specific locations for audio labels (to represent country names, for example) through the use of a 3D glass liner (a craft product for outlining painted surfaces). PenFriend barcode adhesive stickers were manually pasted onto the 3D printed continents. While the PenFriend detected the audio label stickers, the 3D dots helped blind and low-vision users to locate the sticker using touch. In this final product, I also modified the globe to remove the axial tilt.
Cross-sensory globe (prototype 4), 3D printed removable continent pieces with PenFriend audio labels.
Prototyping Process:
Testing 3D-printed continent shapes with PenFriend.
3D printed continents.
3D-printed Africa with PenFriend audio labelling stickers and pen.