Week 11 – Reading Response
Design Meets Disability:
The reading discusses how simple, thoughtful design can be both functional and beautiful, even for products aimed at disability or accessibility. The Eames splint, which was originally designed for injured soldiers, is appreciated for its aesthetic and innovative qualities. It challenges the idea that medical products should prioritize function over form. Additionally, it critiques how overly complex designs intended to be universally accessible, often end up being cognitively inaccessible, highlighting the importance of simplicity.
The text differentiates the idea of “universal design” with the idea of “good design,” claiming that accessibility usually comes from simplicity rather than complexity. It references greate designers like the Eameses and Naoto Fukasawa for creating objects where form and function are seamlessly integrated without overcomplicating the user experience. Overall, the author highlights that designing for disability should not lower design standards but rather inspire innovation and beauty. After reading the text, I began rethinking how design for disability is often approached today.