Project 1

 Overview:

For many users, AAC is not a temporary aid. It is their primary communication interface. Despite this, many AAC interfaces rely on childlike visual language: 
stick figures, cartoon illustrations, simplified facial expressions, and playful color palettes. These design choices often persist regardless of the user’s age or identity. This raises an important UI design question:
If AAC is a language interface, why does it so often look like a children’s product? 


Goal for the Project:

This project asks you to examine whether this visual convention is respectful, and whether alternative icon design choices could communicate with greater dignity, neutrality, 
and clarity. Redesign "childish" AAC icons with the same visual sensibility as contemporary productivity tools, operating systems, and digital 
communication platforms. 

Original Icons:

The original icons, shown here, are from Proloquo. They are Hand Drawn/ Illustrative Icons that are expressive and irregular. These show personality through bright high contrast colors and use simple stick figures or basic lines/ shapes. The issue is that these icons have a childish tone for app that is used for adults, some figures are also difficult to understand. 

Style References: 

After in-depth research of the six different types of icons, I chose to focus on the neomorphism style. I took inspiration from the above icons for elements like color and shading. 

 
Neomorphism:

Neomorphism uses subtle shadows and highlights to make the icons appear as if they are either embossed or debossed from the background. This creates a soft 3D effect, acting as a middle ground between flat design and skeuomorphism. Apple's icons, shown above, are a good example of Neomorphism. 

Final Deisgns:

My updated icons relate to the Neumorphism style. They have a flat design but I used drop shadows, inner shadows, and gradients to create dimension all in a low contrast purple monochrome color palette to give them a soft look. I removed the stick figures and used more general icons. All of these changes gives the icons personality while still being professional and universal for adult individuals.