Recently I was in video calls where there was a user who had set up a custom video background . It was designed to allow users to focus on the speaker, but ended up being extremely distracting for me since I am with poor vision. Dim lighting of the speaker along with the bright backdrop made it so that it was difficult for me to clearly see the speaker. It resulted in my eyes hurting until I had to switch off the video. But I was also on a meeting where the custom background helped me concentrate better on the speaker, and also allowed me to concentrate more attentively than I could without the background. Here are my recommendations for selecting the best custom video backgrounds for low-vision viewers on platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams.
Why would you want to use a custom background video Banuba?
Although it might sound like that I do not like customized video backgrounds but I think that they are an extremely useful tool when employed keeping accessibility design principles with accessibility design principles in mind. Some of the advantages of customizing video backgrounds are:
Blocking unclean backgrounds or people who are in the background
In assisting audiences to focus on the speaker and not the background
Be careful not to share private information which could appear in background
It will make users appear more professional, based what background they select
Demonstrate your art or design abilities
The way custom backgrounds are designed can cause confusion for low-vision viewers
Although custom video backgrounds are beneficial for people with low vision, they can cause confusion at times. A few ways custom video backgrounds may cause confusion are:
With bright or busy designs that are difficult to concentrate on
Certain patterns, particularly small ones, may trigger vertigo in certain audiences.
It is based on their background that it could be difficult to determine what the individual is doing.
Lighting conditions that are not optimal can be more apparent and create inadequate contrast to backgrounds
Backgrounds might not render properly and create undesirable visual effects.
If you can, choose images or colors with high contrast
The most important thing to remember when it comes to choosing the right video backgrounds for low-vision viewers is to choose images and colors that have adequate clarity between your speaker and background. While I’m not able to suggest an all-purpose backdrop that works in every scenario, it’s crucial to make sure the background image doesn’t be a distraction to clothes or hair, and that the speaker is placed front and front and. Browse through Pantone color shades with Google Images can be a fantastic way to identify an appropriate color to match the speaker. I’ve used Classic Blue in a few calls, and it’s the Pantone color of the year for 2020.
Beware of backgrounds that are predominantly neon or white.
In a conference that at which I participated, the host used a blank white background, which was extremely difficult to stare at for extended periods of time and made my eyes get tired very quickly. A friend of mine experienced the same issue when their professor gave the class on a vivid green background. they had to shut off their laptop and sit through the remainder of the lecture due to the colors were so bright. Colors that are intense or bright for prolonged periods can cause migraines for some people and it’s best to stay clear of them when feasible.
Avoid backgrounds that contain pictures of people.
One of the major advantages of having custom background videos is they make it easier to concentrate on the speaker. Hence, having a background with pictures of faces or people could make it more difficult to concentrate. A student I had the privilege of working with was talking to me about how their teacher made a customized background that included pictures of all the students in their class behind them. They had a hard time trying to concentrate on the hand gestures that their teacher was using because the faces were all over displayed on the screen.
The most effective backgrounds to choose from
The most effective kinds of custom-made video backgrounds for low-vision viewers include:
Nature images with high-resolution
Simple color swatches
Patterns or images that calm you
Black background with accent colors
Northern lights
Photos of the rooms in which they are located (or offices) (one of my acquaintances utilized a photograph from the television program “The Office” to do this)
Rice paper patterns
Wall photos
Users can locate images that match their requirements by searching these keywords in Google Images or similar websitesI suggest placing images in a folder or in a gallery to ensure ease of access.
Summary of the best way to choose the best custom-made video backgrounds for low-vision viewers
Customized backgrounds can benefit users to block out unclean backgrounds or other people in the background. This will help in privacy while maintaining a professional look.
The custom backgrounds could be confusing for people with low vision if they are cluttered with patterns and poor lighting conditions contrast, or do not render properly and start to flicker
If you can, choose images or colors that have a excellent contrast
Avoid backgrounds that are primarily neon or white.
Avoid backgrounds that contain pictures of people.
The best backgrounds are images of rooms or walls simple colors or patterns as well as patterns or images that are soothing or similar choices
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