Museum Accessibility: Spring 2021 - NYU Ability Project
DIY-AT: Tactile Graphics and Touch Objects
I created a half scale mockup of Howard Greer's "Odile" dress in response to an accessibility audit performed on the FIT Museum's 2020 exhibition Ballerina as Bird. Since the museum is closed due to COVID, I was only able to evaluate their online offerings. This exhibition was not initially intended to be a fully online exhibitor. Specifically, I focused on the presentation of Greer's "Odile" dress.
Ballerina: Fashion's Modern Muse
The primary accessibility challenges identified related to not being able to fully appreciate the construction details due to a lack of zoom as well as a lack of contrasting background.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/PvqEasVG6FxLig4GzNHAA6KquTRdWu0-oUeH_SQyFlDtvzVvg1qIci3rgKdVh_HD7yoTW7WHOMsMxd0jIP3957amenCplvG4x_dat8HwdE5YEmZw-vXCPcr4RzfUUg
Description of Touch Object
What is this a tactile graphic of?
Brief description of artifact
List of parts or materials used to build device
Interpretation Reflection
What features of the original artifact did you decide to focus on and why did you choose these?
The dress was originally placed within the Ballerina as Bird area of the Fashion Institute of Technology’s Spring 2020 exhibit, Ballerina: Fashion’s Modern Muse. I decided to focus on the feel of the garment as well as the construction. As a tactile learner myself, I always want to feel the things around me. Having gone to the FIT Museum many times before - as well as many other fashion/textile exhibits - I have seldom seen touch items within those exhibitions. The feel of clothing is very important to understanding the complete garment. Texture provides an additional dimension to the garment that sight along does not. As a fashion designer, I am interested in the construction of garments as well. I decided to place the item on a dress form to provide scale as well as form to the dress. Choosing to build the half-scale replica as only half a garment allows for better access to the layers as well as the seams for those interested in the basic construction.
End-User Reflection
Who did you describe this tactile graphic for?
I have designed this touch object for tactile learners and those with low vision. As a safety precaution, I would stitch the garment to the dress form to prevent anyone from being stabbed with pins.
What sensory or physical abilities are required for the end-user to interact with your tactile graphic? (Potential examples could include detailed vision, tactile sensitivity in fingers, ability to hold the graphic with one hand and touch it with the other ….)
This artifact require tactile sensitivity in fingers and limbs (feet) from end-users. The form can be placed on the ground to allow for those who need it closer to the ground as well.
Final Product Reflection
How well does your final product meet (or not meet) your expectations to 1) highlight features that embody the object or graphic and 2) meet the needs of the end-user of focus?
The final product does meet my expectations which were to have a mockup that I could use to show my ideas. When touching it, you are able to get an idea of the shape, the construction and the textiles. The mockup has the same shape as the original dress and uses materials that are close to those used by Greer. If this were to be used in an actual museum exhibition, I would have replicated the fabrication of the Greer dress using the same construction techniques, fabrics and an exact pattern. This would also allow the end-user to get a better understanding of the full size garment's construction. As I only have the one image as a reference, I used my best judgment on how to construct the half scale model. Unfortunately, I was not able to replicate the hem details on the tulle as that is very time consuming and labor intensive. I am happy with how the under structure turned out as well. After completing the garment, I did theorize a few other ways that the understructure could have been created, one which did not use a pannier. I am very interested in seeing how Greer achieved the extended hips of the dress. I was able to build a support for the dress that enables it to have its shape.
I do believe that this artifact meet the needs of the end-user. One of which is being able to understand the garment's construction as well as fabric use.