Everyday inclusive design

Abstract

Designing inclusively presents some unique challenges to product designers working within the highly competitive consultancy environment. This chapter will discuss some of the practical experiences that Alloy has had as a product design consultancy pursuing an inclusive design agenda, reflecting on what this has taught us about carrying out inclusive design — everyday The chapter will discuss aspects of the inclusive design experience, investigate why we should design inclusively, what issues are facing inclusive designers, and ultimately take a look at how we might integrate users into the design process. Illustrating these points are two case studies, one commercial, one speculative.The Freestyle 60 for BT Communications Products will show how we employed inclusive design principles in the design of a mass consumer product. Kettlesense, a non-commercial project carried out in response to the 2001 DBA Design Challenge, will illustrate a more idealistic approach.