Where accessibility meets minimalism and functionalism : An approach from cultural design concepts
Vo, Tuyen (2026)
2026
Master's Programme in Sustainable Societies and Digitalisation
Informaatioteknologian ja viestinnän tiedekunta - Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences
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Hyväksymispäivämäärä
2026-06-15
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:tuni-202606127339
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:tuni-202606127339
Tiivistelmä
This thesis explores how accessible design can be understood through the cultural concepts of minimalism and functionalism, with particular attention to the relationship between aesthetics, usability, and accessibility. Drawing on a qualitative, mixed-source approach, the study combines literature review, theoretical analysis, technical accessibility review and a user survey comparing Apple and Amazon to examine how general users perceive design efficiency and accessibility in relation to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) criteria of perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust content.
This study examines the relationship between accessibility, minimalism, and functionalism, questioning whether the "less is more" philosophy contributes to practical and inclusive digital interfaces. The data reveals that users appreciate each approach for distinct reasons. A minimalist interface is favored for its visual simplicity and comfort, whereas a functionalist design is valued for providing comprehensive information and clear guidance during tasks. Primarily, users strongly preferred a blend of both concepts. While these findings validate the proposed approach in terms of user preference, they also demonstrate that visual minimalism does not equate to true accessibility, as the data relies on subjective opinions rather than technical compliance.
By bringing together cultural theory and user-based evaluation, the study reframes accessible design not only as a technical standard but also as a cultural and conceptual approach to digital inclusion. It concludes that combining minimalism and functionalism, when checked against the WCAG criteria and tested with real and diverse users, can offer a practical and approachable entry point for web design novices, rather than a guarantee of full accessibility.
This study examines the relationship between accessibility, minimalism, and functionalism, questioning whether the "less is more" philosophy contributes to practical and inclusive digital interfaces. The data reveals that users appreciate each approach for distinct reasons. A minimalist interface is favored for its visual simplicity and comfort, whereas a functionalist design is valued for providing comprehensive information and clear guidance during tasks. Primarily, users strongly preferred a blend of both concepts. While these findings validate the proposed approach in terms of user preference, they also demonstrate that visual minimalism does not equate to true accessibility, as the data relies on subjective opinions rather than technical compliance.
By bringing together cultural theory and user-based evaluation, the study reframes accessible design not only as a technical standard but also as a cultural and conceptual approach to digital inclusion. It concludes that combining minimalism and functionalism, when checked against the WCAG criteria and tested with real and diverse users, can offer a practical and approachable entry point for web design novices, rather than a guarantee of full accessibility.