Universal Design…how come I’ve never heard of it before?!
Hey guys! Welcome to another month at YDKTM. Since I am not a designer (rather a design enthusiast), every month I go and search for interesting/relevant design-related topics to write to you guys about.
And I found this month’s topic so exciting that I wanna jump right into it 🤩. So, without further ado, let’s board the spaceship to Universal Design… and buckle up because this is going to be one inclusive ride! 🚀
So, what is Universal Design?
I think the best way to start would be by defining Universal Design through its motto: “Design for All”. And you might be asking yourself the same question I posed while first reading on the topic: “Aren’t all designs intended for everyone already?”.
Weeeell…in an ideal world, designs are said to be accessible to everyone, even though that is often not the case.
Coined by the architect Ronald L. Mace, Universal Design is a way of creating environments and products that are usable by everyone to their greatest possible extent without the need for adaptation or specialized design.
Think of it as the Robin Hood of design principles, taking from the realm of exclusivity and giving back to the kingdom of inclusivity 🏹.
The 7 Principles of Universal Design
Universal Design is grounded on seven principles. They ensure that environments, products, and systems are designed inclusively, so pay attention to these seven principles and see if you can implement as many as you can in your designs.
1. Equitable Use
Making the design more marketable and guaranteeing that it is useful to people with diverse abilities.
Example: those doors that can be opened either by a handle or a button: it’s functional for able-bodied people as well as those with physical impairments.
2. Flexibility in Use
Assuring that your design can accommodate a broad range of individual preferences and abilities.
Example: a website with an option for changing colors or font sizes to enhance readability.
3. Simple and Intuitive Use
Making the design easy to understand, independent of the user’s knowledge, experience, language skills or concentration level.
Example: That universal “play” icon ▶️.
4. Perceptible Information
Making a design that communicates the necessary information in an effective way, regardless of the user’s sensory abilities or the environment’s conditions.
Example: Captions that are included in videos/movies/TV
5. Tolerance for Error
Designing products and environments that minimize hazards and the unexpected consequences of an unintentional or accidental action.
Example: The giant red “STOP” button on your treadmill at the gym so this doesn’t happen to you:
6. Low physical Effort
Creating a design that can be used comfortably and efficiently with very little to no effort.
Example: Automatic sliding doors. You just need to approach them and they magically open! No effort needed ✨ ✨
7. Size and Space for Approach and Use
Making sure your design provides appropriate size and space for approach, reach, manipulation, and use, regardless of the user’s body size, posture, or mobility.
Example: Ergonomic chairs. Though I have to admit that some ergonomic chairs are so hard to figure out, with a thousand buttons to push, drag, pull, and switch that they should go back to principle 3 🥴.
It begs the question: why aren’t we talking more about Universal Design?
Universal Design is not merely about building easy and intuitive products or buildings. It’s about creating and nurturing an inclusive culture and mindset.
It’s about acknowledging, accepting, and embracing our differences instead of pushing a one-size-fits-all standard solution in a society where people are everything but the same. Universal Design is about understanding, empathy and respect.
By designing universally, we send a message that everybody matters, and everyone has the right to access the world surrounding them.
So why aren’t we talking about it more?
Universal Design can have a transcending impact
By designing universally, we aren’t just creating more accessible products or environments, but we’re also designing a better future by educating younger generations that our designs need to reflect the diversity of our world.
Every choice we make today impacts the world we shape tomorrow, so let’s go ahead and shape a future where everyone has a seat at the table ❤️.
Want to dive deeper? Check out:
📗 Articles on Universal design by The Conversation
📗 Inclusive Design Principles by inclusivedesignprinciples.org
📗 “A Web for Everyone: Designing Accessible User Experiences” by Sarah Horton and Whitney Quesenbery
📗 “Inclusive Design for a Digital World: Designing with Accessibility in Mind” by Regine M. Gilbert
