You’ve carefully constructed your online queue of DVDs, anxiously awaited the arrival of your choice in the mail, and finally have the disc in your hands. You put it in your DVD player, get all cozy in your favorite spot, arrange your array of remote controls, even put the phone within reach. You hunker down and prepare to hit the Play button—wait. Where’s the Play button on this DVD menu? You squint at your television, which is really annoying, since you bought a big TV so you wouldn’t have to squint anymore. You strain your eyes until you admit defeat, rouse yourself from your nest of comfort, disturb your array of remotes, and stand next to the television so you can see your menu choices.
Sound familiar? The motion graphics and sound on a DVD menu might be amazing, but if you’re struggling to read it, the designer forgot one important thing: to design for the user. Now imagine being colorblind or having low vision and navigating that same menu. Frustrating, right?
Here, let’s show you some examples of what it means to design a DVD menu for accessibility.
1. Contrast background color to button color.
It’s easiest for our eyes to read text when the contrast is high. Button colors should be at the highest possible contrast to the background: either light colors (white or yellows) on a dark background or dark letters on a white background.
2. Make button text large.
For easiest readability, the type should be large. We at CaptionMax like our type to be at least 12pt but 16pt-18pt is the best.
3. Give visual cues.
The best buttons are ones that change color and have an arrow, or other indicator, that changes color as you move around the menu. This helps the eye focus. It also provides two ways to “find” the button.
4. Use an easy-to-read typeface.
Avoid complicated or decorative fonts. Most serif fonts will shutter or vibrate on a TV screen because the type isn’t wide enough. Sans-serif fonts are more readable to all viewers.
5. Use clear grammar.
Many of our chapter menus are numbered. This is especially helpful for educational DVDs because it allows teachers and students to communicate more clearly. Simple chapter names also give viewers more complete information.
At CaptionMax, we understand the need for useful buttons with large, readable text. When our DVD authors design for accessibility, we try to think of everyone who might use the DVD. With larger text, eye-catching button graphics, and contrasting text colors, you can stay in your comfy spot until the credits roll.
Thanks!