Trial of Innovative Pictogram Design Applying Visual Expressions used by the Deaf

Abstract

Deaf people use a visual language, sign language and there are some aspects of their expressions that can be implemented on the design of a universal communication aid.We recorded videos of eight Deaf subjects explaining the contents of short video clips using gestures to hearing people with no background on sign language. Since each subjects' expressions varied, 40 hearing people evaluated the video clips. Based on the results, the expressions were further analyzed to find out what aspects were easy to understand for hearing people. Comparison method was found to be factors that may be useful in the design of pictograms. Based on these factors, moving pictograms were designed and Intelligibility of them was confirmed by 50 hearing people.