Designing for diversity and inclusion

What is diversity and inclusion?

As designers, it is our responsibility to craft solutions that not only cater to a broad spectrum of users but also celebrate the richness of human experience. This means designing for diversity and inclusion, understanding why it matters, and challenging how it can be achieved.

Inclusive design is the practice of creating products, environments, and systems that are accessible and usable by as many people as possible, regardless of their age, ability, gender, race, or any other characteristics. It’s about removing barriers and ensuring everyone benefits from what we create.

When we design with diversity in mind, we tap into a broader audience, increase our market reach, and ultimately deliver more user-centric solutions.

Why diversity and inclusion in design matters

The world is a diverse and complex place. Designing for diversity is about mirroring the richness of human experience in your work. By acknowledging and embracing the diversity of your potential users, you create products and experiences that are more relevant and relatable to them.

Designers have a responsibility to ensure their work does not discriminate or exclude anyone. By actively addressing this concern, we contribute to a more equitable and just society.

An inclusive approach broadens your market. When a product or service is designed to cater to a wide range of users, it inherently attracts a larger user base, potentially increasing revenue and business success.

Diversity drives innovation. Exposure to a variety of perspectives and experiences leads to fresh ideas and creative solutions. Embracing diversity within the design process can result in groundbreaking work.

A design subscription service can be a powerful resource for incorporating diversity and inclusion into design projects. By providing a diverse range of design assets, accessibility tools, education, and opportunities for collaboration, these services empower businesses to create more inclusive and culturally sensitive content. Moreover, they can facilitate a sense of community and continuous improvement, ensuring that inclusivity remains a core component of the design process.

The Inclusive Design Checklist

• User-Centred Approach: Have you created diverse user personas to guide your design process?
• Accessibility: Does your design meet accessibility standards and guidelines for your medium (e.g., WCAG for web design)?
• Inclusive Language: Have you used plain language and provided translations or alternatives for non-English speakers?
• Representation: Does your design showcase diversity in imagery and graphics while avoiding stereotypes?
• User Testing: Have you tested your design with a diverse group of users and collected their feedback?
• Training and Awareness: Is your design team trained in inclusive design principles, and is there an inclusive culture within your workspace?
• Collaboration: Have you sought input from experts in accessibility and diversity when necessary?
• Continuous Improvement: Are you committed to regularly reviewing and updating your designs to maintain inclusivity?

As designers, our work has the power to shape perceptions, challenge biases, and create a more equitable world. Let’s design with diversity and inclusion at the forefront of our creative processes, shaping a better future for all.