Tecnologia assistiva em exposições de arte: design de suporte para sistema de interação

Abstract

This study aims to develop a support furniture system for tactile interaction in art exhibitions, focusing on increasing accessibility and autonomy for people with visual impairments. The research is situated within the fields of inclusive design and assistive technology, addressing the recurring lack of devices that coherently integrate tactile resources, accessible controls, and sensory mediation in museum contexts. The adopted methodology is based on Bruno Munari’s design method, articulated with the task analysis approach proposed by Pazmino, enabling a structured process from problem definition to development, experimentation, and refinement of the solution. The methodological framework includes a theoretical review on visual impairment, accessibility, inclusive design, and assistive technology; analysis of similar projects; definition of design guidelines; generation of alternatives through hand sketches; three-dimensional modeling; physical prototyping; and comparative evaluation of the developed prototypes. As a result, a modular furniture system designed to support tactile artworks was developed, aiming to promote autonomous exploration, clarity of tactile reading, and structural stability during use. The production of multiple prototypes allowed the identification of material and structural limitations, informed constructive adjustments, and validated the functioning of the rotation mechanism between portrait and landscape formats. Although user testing with people with visual impairments was not conducted within the scope of this study, testing and task analysis protocols were developed, grounded in previous experiences of the Fotografia Tátil project, to support future evaluations. It is concluded that the proposed furniture system presents potential as an accessible support device for art exhibitions, contributing to sensory mediation and to the active participation of people with visual impairments. The study also highlights the relevance of design experimentation and systematic analysis of interactions as essential tools for the development of inclusive product design solutions.