In June of 2013 I had a jam session with the Speak Your Mind Foundation, an organization based at Brown University that is innovating tailored communication devices for patients who are "locked in"... that is, they are paralyzed for the most part and can't speak. These users need a unique interface that is operable via the small movement capabilities they have, and usually that means eye or head movement.
The pictures you see below are arranged in chronological order. Below is an image of the existing interface that Speak Your Mind was using, but wanted to improve upon. They wanted an industrial designer's perspective.
After some mental jogging and dialogue between engineers and designers (see first picture below), it occurred to me that from a user's perspective, the original keyboard would be awkward to use because it would require diagonal and full radial head movement to access the alphabet. Diagonal and full-circle precise movements are more tiring and less natural than simple left to right movement, so I sketched out my idea for a friendlier left to right radial interface (the second picture below).
I suggested that a smaller cursor be used to promote higher user confidence in the accuracy of the interface. The existing cursor was a large red dot, and thus was difficult to clearly "aim" between buttons. In addition, rather than irregular buttons with varying border levels, I proposed a simpler, cleaner arrangement with either no borders, or with all buttons aligned.
Following are Speak Your Mind's digital interpretations of the interface I proposed.
I'm thrilled to have contributed my mind power to help others to share their minds with the world! These innovations truly make a difference for those who are paralyzed or otherwise unable to function as many of us do.
I am so happy that our jam session bore fruit!
