DBA Design Challenge 2002
 

'c' system / Coley Porter Bell

Coley Porter Bell has transformed the swing tag, a disposable object with limited functional purpose to the consumer, and transformed it into a valuable interface that permits independent shopping and connection or reconnection with the wonderful world of colour.
 

How Does it Work?

The 'c' clothing tag system consists of a tactile language of shapes representing colour and size with a bar code reader for additional product information. The language enables visually impaired users to identify over 60 colours by learning 16 tactile shapes. Each core shape is enclosed in square with a raised keyline and represents a colour. The inner shape is further subdivided in four, creating four shades of decreasing saturation within one colour range, all with distinct colour names. When the shape is ribbed, this indicates that the garment is patterned, when left plain, the colour is solid.

Initially, a portable ringbound c swatch familiarizes users and retailers with the system. Each shape gives the colour, its name in Braille and contrasting large print with its tactile shape equivalent for easy reference.

Instore, a c tag can be found on the garment alongside the other conventional pricing labels. On one side of the c tag, the relevant shape is displayed with a sizing system of five raised circles symbolizing whether a garment is extra small, extra large or somewhere inbetween. On the reverse is a barcode providing more detailed information when it is scanned with the c reader. A permanent silk c label with the tactile shape repeated is sewn into the garment enabling long-term identification - in the store, in the wardrobe or the washing basket.