New Tools for Disabled Artists
By Matthew Baranauskas
A Project presented to The Graduate Faculty California College of the Arts
NIAD
All observations within this thesis took place at NIAD (National Institute of Art and Disabilities), which is an innovative visual arts center assisting adults with developmental and other physical disabilities. The term developmental disability is one commonly used in the United States, which refers to a diverse group of severe chronic conditions that are due to mental and/or physical impairments. Frequently, people with mental retardation, cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder, various genetic and chromosomal disorders such as Down syndrome and Fragile X syndrome, and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder are described as having developmental disabilities.
For a little over a year now, I have worked with various artists at NIAD, who, for the most part, each exhibit their own unique combination of mental and physical impairments. None of them, even those diagnosed with the same “label” are exactly alike. Each artist is unique, but many across multiple diagnoses exhibit similar impairments that have informed my designs. For this reason, none of the designs that I am proposing are intended for one “type” of person that falls within a diagnosis. Instead, each design focuses on specific and commonly observed limitations to the accomplishment of a task and asks how a variety of impairments might inform and inspire a new design.
While a definitive diagnosis might be helpful in accessing public services, as a designer I have found that, while it is informative, it is not vital in achieving a good design. In my own research I have found that it is better to focus on behavioral characteristics – these have told me more about the artists I’ve worked with and how to design for them, then have the diagnosis of their disabilities. For this reason, and with respect to the privacy of the wonderful artists whom I have worked so closely with, I will refrain from referring to any specific diagnosis.
In the following sections I will discuss the observations I have made along with a number of probes. These have lead to three design principles, which have been created with the future development of tools for disabled artists in mind. Additionally, I have developed two new tools, Collage Stamp: a design hybrid that re-examines the act of making a collage, and Soundboards: a series of drawing boards and a table that help artists by minimizing distraction and maintaining their focus. I have come to each of these designs through a rigourous and iterative analysis of the materials presented within this thesis. It should be noted that my analysis of artists compulsions and behaviors is one that is informed and illustrative, rather then definitive – mine is a process that is reflective of design research, rather then scientific research.