Megumi Hiramoto: The Graphic Designer Focused on Creating Accessible Designs

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Megumi Hiramoto The Graphic Designer Focused on Creating Accessible Designs

The work of graphic designers can be seen all around us. However, not all of their work is accessible to everyone.

For example, those who are blind won’t be able to interpret designs that are just images.

However, thanks to text-to-speak options, designs that include a description of the image are much more accessible.

That is where Megumi Hiramoto comes in to save the day. Megumi works to create accessible designs so that more people can “access” the product, whether that be a webpage, app, PDF, or something else entirely.

Megumi grew up in Tokyo surrounded by beautiful designs throughout the city, which later influenced her design style.

Her parents were in the medical field, with one being a doctor and the other a pharmacist. It was from them that she gained a desire to help people.

Originally, she wanted to be a doctor, but after an internship and a part-time job at ELLE Magazine and Harper’s BAZAAR in Tokyo, she gained an interest in design. So, she went on to get her MA in Graphic Design and Digital Media.

Wanting to help others, she started working with eLearning and EdTech companies as a graphic designer. There, she learned to create accessible designs. Unlike the average design that puts an emphasis on the overall look of the finished product, accessible designs also have to reach people with a wide array of disabilities.

Creating beautiful yet highly usable designs requires a lot of technical skills.

After developing these skills, Megumi became an expert and went on to work on many other projects in the accessible design industry. Because of her expertise, she works with fellow accessibility experts and is responsible for leading the design team for various projects.

One of the biggest challenges she has to face on a recurring basis is finding the balance between design and accessibility. She explains that: “…in this society where people get stimulated by visuals, design and aesthetic is still essential even in the EdTech world.”

As a result, she works to create practical designs that still retain an aesthetic element to them. This often involves simplifying the design by omitting excessive elements.

Along her design journey, Megumi learned that graphic design does not just involve creativity but also a high level of “engineering” to create a functional and practical product.

She also learned the importance of accessible design, especially when it comes to education. On that note, she comments: “Design with empathy. If it’s not accessible, make it inclusive.”

In the future, Megumi plans to expand her work on accessible designs and take on new projects in that industry.

She also hopes to become a consultant for companies and other graphic designers who want to learn how to create accessible designs. 

The work of Megumi Hiramoto as a graphic designer aimed at creating more accessible designs helps someone with a disability be able to “access” what is otherwise unavailable.

Her expertise in creating both creative and functional designs has led her to become an important asset in the design world as well as a leader in the industry.

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