Visual design

Although the app is intended for visually impaired people, especially those with legal blindness, it has a visual layout. This has two main reasons. First, we acknowledge that communicating with the app loudly in public may not always be possible or desired. Thus, a clear, high-contrast visual design may aid in those situations for minor tasks, such as checking which activity the app is currently running in or checking if the grocery list is full or empty. Second, when accompanied by a sighted person, the app’s functionality should also be available to them.

• VOICE CONTROL BUTTON: The top third of the display is allocated for a bright red button, which activates the microphone and voice control mode. This size was chosen so that it could easily be tapped simply by feeling the top of the screen, and its placement was selected so as not to interfere with potential touch-activated navigation buttons at the bottom of the phone (screen). If activated, the microphone logo in its center turns green. Otherwise, it is white, indicating that no voice commands can be given at the current time. If the microphone is enabled, tapping the button again will deactivate it.

• DIMENSIONS: The layout is designed relative to the phone's dimensions. The button and card sizes dynamically adapt to the phone dimensions and contents, allowing for the largest possible size and, thus, the easiest possible legibility while keeping the desired relative layout.

• LIGHT THEME: The app provides a high-contrast light theme, in which the app background is a true white, button and card background are true black and button and card text is again a true white.

• DARK THEME: The app also provides a high-contrast dark theme, in which the app background is a true black, the button and card background are true white, and the button and card text is again a true black.