How Do You Approach Designing for Inclusivity as a Product Designer?
Designing for inclusivity is more critical than ever in today's diverse digital landscape. Insights from a Senior User Experience Designer and other industry experts shed light on this nuanced topic. The first insight emphasizes including extreme users in the design process, while the last highlights the importance of testing prototypes with diverse groups, totaling six invaluable insights. Read on to discover how these principles are shaping successful, inclusive projects.
- Include Extreme Users in Design Process
- Prioritize Accessibility from the Outset
- Design with Empathy and Understanding
- Consider a Wide Range of Needs
- Use Diverse Imagery and Language
- Test Prototypes with Diverse Groups
Include Extreme Users in Design Process
The most successful way of designing for inclusivity is to include users from a broad demographic at every stage of the design process, especially users with physical or cognitive disabilities. This means that extreme users' needs are uncovered early in the research stage and can be then met when prototyping and testing. Working with extreme users' insights throughout the process will ensure the solution is inclusive for users who have not only a permanent disability but also temporary or situational disabilities.
Studies have shown that extreme users often don't share their needs in interviews as they feel their frustrations are a result of their disability and not a fault in the system, often these users are more open to sharing their feedback during co-creation workshops when other participants are likely to have had struggles similar to them. We ran a co-creation workshop with extreme users on the last product I worked on and the insights were not only instrumental in increasing the cross-functional team's empathy to ensure we met the users' needs but also helped us create a better solution by reducing the copy and ultimately the cognitive load for all users.
Prioritize Accessibility from the Outset
To design for inclusivity, start by prioritizing accessibility from the outset. It's not enough to add accessible features later; they should be integral from the beginning. Ensuring everyone can use your product easily creates a much better user experience.
Accessibility features should be tested and iterated upon as the design evolves. Always keep in mind that what works for one person might not work for another. Make accessibility a fundamental part of your design process from day one.
Design with Empathy and Understanding
Designing with empathy and understanding is essential for inclusivity. To achieve this, put yourself in the shoes of your users and try to understand their unique challenges. Evaluate how different people will interact with your product and identify potential barriers they might face.
Solutions should aim at removing these barriers to make the experience seamless for everyone. This approach not only creates more inclusive products but also builds a stronger connection with users. Always strive to understand and empathize with your diverse user base.
Consider a Wide Range of Needs
When designing for inclusivity, it's crucial to consider a wide range of user needs. Think about the different ways people might use your product and the various difficulties they might encounter. Incorporating features that cater to diverse needs from the start will make your product more welcoming to all.
Constantly researching and staying updated on the needs of different user groups is key. Ensuring your design caters to everyone will widen your product's reach. Aim to meet as many of these diverse needs as possible in your design.
Use Diverse Imagery and Language
Using diverse imagery and language in your product is a powerful way to promote inclusivity. The visuals and words you choose should reflect the variety of people who will use your product. Avoid stereotypes and choose representations that feel authentic and respectful.
By doing this, users from different backgrounds will feel seen and appreciated. This inclusive approach instantly makes your product more relatable. Regularly review your content to ensure it remains inclusive and relevant.
Test Prototypes with Diverse Groups
Testing prototypes with diverse user groups is a critical step in designing for inclusivity. By involving people from different backgrounds and abilities, you can gather valuable feedback that highlights areas for improvement. This process helps identify any unintentional biases or barriers within your design.
Making adjustments based on this feedback ensures your product is more user-friendly and accessible to all. This practice is essential for creating genuinely inclusive designs. Consistently seek diverse feedback throughout your design process.