In America, we believe in freedom, and that leads to a certain amount of bad design. In an op-ed video on the New York Times website, Mo Rocca explores the differences in ballot design across the country, and talks with designer Todd Oldham about how a little knowledge of communication can improve ease and clarity when we enter the voting booth.
In other news, there's a balloon bridge in the UK, and a proposed Paris bridge offers stable and "unstable" crossing options. See the headlines after the jump.
• Ballot Design with Todd Oldham [VIDEO] | The New York Times
• Float Away On Olivier Grossetete's Dreamy Balloon Bridge | Architizer
• In Paris, An Intentionally Unstable Bridge Spans The Seine | Co.Design
(Image: via New York Times)
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Can you imagine walking on the "wild side" of the Paris bridge whilst using your smartphone and your pathway wobbles?
I was just talking with someone yesterday (over 2000 absentee ballots) about how poorly designed our ballots are, which leads to myriad errors and frustration for all. Let's have this conversation, people!
People who don't understand i.e. read the ballot are too dumb to vote. They get to but are too dumb to.
I had difficulty understanding the layout of my ballot and was extremely frustrated and worried that my vote wouldn't be counted because I screwed up. I don't consider myself dumb, especially since I have a Masters degree in English and a Masters in International Public Service. The ballot was poorly designed and there was no effective communication on how to fill it out. So please don't assume that if someone can't read the ballot it is because they are 'dumb'.
You have not one but perhaps three (a bachelors and two masters at a minimum) worthless degrees. I stand by my earlier assessment.
Harsh, much? If you actually watch the video then you'll see that whilst 'intelligent' people can figure out all of the ballot designs and end up casting their intended vote, ballot papers out to be 100% idiot and confusion proof. I shouldn't have to think 'should my tick go there or there?' it should just be obvious.
I liked the papers that boxed together the candidates name and the tick box, very simple and no having to follow an invisible line from one side of the page to the other.