The opportunity to vote is a fundamental democratic right. It is at the polling station that the process of government becomes tangible to the public. Norsk Form, The Foundation for Design and Architecture in Norway, and the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development initiated the competition ’Design and Democracy’, putting design at the very heart of the democratic process. The aim was to develop a comprehensive, accessible and attractive setting for voting.
A National Solution for Polling Equipment
The winning design by Blueroom, Innovativoli and Kadabra, features a voting booth, ballot box, and signage. The solution developed shows how consideration for all users from the start gives added value to the final product rather than being added as an afterthought. In addition it is functional for the municipalities in regards to purchase, logistics, assembly and maintenance.
Visually, the scheme emphasises a universal design that will simplify the business of voting for everybody. The use of pictogram symbols, the colour orange as a highlight, Braille text on the ballot slip holders, strong contrasts and a highly legible, versatile typeface ensure access for the visually impaired. Even the ballot paper is designed in such a way that the voter intuitively understands how it should be folded. The ballot paper is safely guided into to ballot box due its funnel shaped top.
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Design for all strengthens democratic principles. Ballot box with the voting booths in the background.
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The ‘dashboard’ within the voting booth has a table both below and on top of the ballot slip holder.
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Braille text on the ballot slip holders.
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The top of the ballot box is highlighted with orange in order to clearly indicate where to put the ballot paper.
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The ballot paper is safely guided into to ballot box due its funnel shaped top. Blue ballot paper is used for The County Council Elections.
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The use of pictogram symbols, the colour orange as a highlight, strong contrasts and a highly legible, versatile typeface ensure access for the visually impaired.
The Design for All Process
Design for all has been a main criterion to ensure that voters do not encounter obstacles at any stage during the elections. During the initial phases of the design process, lead users were brought in to inspire new solutions. Wheelchair voters, blind voters, and polling station riggers all challenged the voting process in their own way. These insights inspired the form and dimensions of the voting booth, ensured a collapsible and light booth as well as improved access to the ballot box and a clear content and design of all signage.
Later in the process, these lead users were brought in again to test and react to the proposed solution and propose iterative improvements. The designers also worked closely with the resource group with representatives from the Ministry, local municipalities, Norsk Form as well as The Delta Centre and interest groups for the blind and disabled.
Placing the opening of the ballot box in front makes it is accessible for walking voters and wheelchair users alike.
From a design challenge to a national design
During The Parliamentary Election of 2009 the new design was tested in the municipalities of Kongsberg, Lenvik, Bømlo and Trondheim. The whole county of Buskerud was given the task of trying out the ballot paper. The general consensus was that the polling equipment functioned well for everyone and far more voters could place their votes without needing assistance.
The final products were developed in line with findings from the evaluation and user tests. The Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development organised a competitive tender for the production of the products and have entered into an outline agreement on behalf of the Norwegian municipalities. The Ministry set up a website where the municipalities could find thorough information on the different products, place orders, find user manuals etc.
During the 2011 Municipal and County Councils Election in Norway voters in 173 local municipalities was introduced to the new polling equipment, setting a new standard for the facilities that voters encounter in Norwegian polling stations
Award Winning Design
The polling equipment has received several nominations and awards: The Design for All Award, The award for Design Excellence in Industrial Design, The Award for Design Excellence in Visual Communication, Furthermore it has been nominated for the Brit Insurance Design Award in 2010 and for The Design Award Technoport in Norway. The graphic profile and signage is a runner up for the Norwegian Innovation Award for Universal Design.
The ballot paper is safely guided into to ballot box due its funnel shaped top. Pink ballot paper is used for The Municipal Council Elections.
About The State Design Competition
The Norwegian State Design Competition is initiated by Norsk Form. Every other year Ministries and Directorates are invited to present designers with a challenge related to their specific area of responsibility. The aim of the competition is to introduce design and design thinking to new areas within the public sector as well as motivate designers to broaden their work field.
Norsk Form arranges the competition and follows the projects from start to finish ensuring the outcome as well as drawing experiences from the process which we feed back to the design community.
In 2010 the topic was Design and Health using service design to solve two challenges:
- The waiting time at the Emergency Services in Oslo.
- A preventative health programme for women from South-East Asia diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.
The 2012 State Design Competition will be launched in the early Autumn.
Project Partners
The design team