The Application of Motion Graphics to Disaster Safety Pictograms for the Hearing-Impaired

Background This study is aims to examine how to develop disaster safety pictograms allowing the hearing-impaired to recognize disastrous situations promptly and also how to apply motion graphics to the pictograms developed. The hearing-impaired are not only incapable of hearing sound but have difficulty in noticing disaster alerts on account of literacy or system-related problems. Therefore, the hearing-impaired need a means of receiving visual alerts and a device that displays warnings. Methods This study analyzed the disability characteristics of the hearing-impaired and the current system of disaster alerts. Based on analysis over the problems of the hearing-impaired to obtain disaster alerts and to have access to information and also the results of surveys to the hearing-impaired and consultation with experts, this researcher designed disaster alert motion pictograms. FGIs were conducted on the hearing-impaired about the model developed. Size adjustment, blinking, and animation effects were applied to the pictogram, and three types of intensity were added to the the pictogram. Then, their preferences were investigated. Based on the results, this study suggested ways to enhance the model. Results The participants tended to think that the previous guide for disasters is very inconvenient and prefer dynamic pictograms to static ones. The participants were hardly aware of the existing standard pictograms, and unfamiliar forms or elements indicated low recognition efficiency. According to the results of the surveys by experts and hearing-impaired participants, it was necessary to distinguish between pictogram (core information) and text (ancillary information) information. For pictograms, the participants preferred complex forms including familiar elements to simple forms. For motion graphics, the animation form was preferred, and the speed at which one motion was repeated at 0.5 to 0.7 second intervals was preferred. Participants in their 60s and 70s preferred the enlarged/reduced model. Conclusions This study is significant in that it is based on the problems of literacy and sign language provision regarding the hearing-impaired. This study develops motion pictograms with experts and hearing-impaired participants and suggested how to cope with disaster. If the results of this study are sent to smartphones, wearable devices, or signages, it will be possible to deliver messages about disastrous situations to the hearing-impaired effectively.