Inclusive Design - Shift to Product Inclusion

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of the persona spectrum in inclusive product design?

To identify mismatches in human dimensions. (correct)
To understand the range of dimensions in a single product feature.
To create products that serve a specific disability.
To design products exclusively for people with disabilities.

What was the original intention of closed captioning?

To create a feature that benefits everyone, regardless of hearing abilities.
To solve for all hearing loss situations.
To make television watching more convenient for all viewers.
To provide a way for people with hearing loss to participate in watching television. (correct)

Why is understanding human motivations essential in inclusive product design?

To design products that are aesthetically pleasing.
To ensure products are accessible to everyone.
To understand why people want to interact with a product or solution. (correct)
To create products that serve a specific need.

What is an example of a mismatch in the persona spectrum, aside from ability-centric ones?

A product that only fits one style of learning. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a temporary hearing loss situation in the persona spectrum?

A person with an ear infection. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a benefit of closed captioning, aside from serving the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities?

It benefits people who need help understanding a new language. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a major challenge in designing inclusive solutions?

Designing for a specific audience based on assumptions (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of codesigning with experts from a particular group?

To yield a better product with the group's insights (D) Signup and view all the answers

Who is credited with popularizing the concept of the 'average' human?

Adolphe Quetelet (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary limitation of using the Gaussian distribution to design products?

It assumes an 'average' human exists (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of basing design decisions on an 'average' human?

An exclusionary and common practice (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key aspect of inclusive design?

Breaking the pattern of exclusion habits (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the importance of being intentional about opening up the design process?

To allow experts from the impacted group to contribute (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the fundamental issue with the concept of 'average'?

It is a mathematical concept that does not apply to humans (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was the focus of Quetelet's work in his book 'Treatise on Man'?

Finding the ideal human being based on various traits (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main issue with designing products based on the concept of an 'average' human being?

The 'average' human being is a myth, and products end up serving no one (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of 'thick data' in designing inclusive products?

To understand how people feel, think, and react in context (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of inclusive design?

To solve for one person and then extend to many (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the persona spectrum in inclusive design?

A continuum of types of people who might interact with a product (B) Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to consider the context of user behavior in designing inclusive products?

To understand how people feel, think, and react (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the outcome of designing products based on the concept of an 'average' human being?

Products that serve no one (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main limitation of big data in designing inclusive products?

It does not provide context about user behavior (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the 80/20 rule in design?

To describe how 80% of problems come from 20% of causes (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the benefit of combining big data and thick data in designing inclusive products?

It helps us understand the motivations behind user behavior (A) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Study Notes: Shift to Product Inclusion

Learning Objectives

By completing this unit, you will be able to:

Explain the difference between designing with and designing for.
Discuss why there is no “average” user.
Describe the persona spectrum.

With and For

Designing For: This approach is based on assumptions about a particular audience, often leading to exclusion.
Designing With: Involves collaborating with those who will be most impacted by the product, leveraging their insights to create better, more inclusive designs.
Breaking Patterns of Exclusion: Inclusive design aims to disrupt long-standing exclusion habits by involving diverse perspectives early in the design process.

There’s No Such Thing As Average

Misconception of Average: The idea of an "average" user is a myth rooted in the work of Adolphe Quetelet, who used the bell curve to define an ideal human. This concept often leads to exclusion.
Example of Misguided Design: The U.S. Air Force’s cockpit design based on the average-sized man led to a high rate of crashes, highlighting that no pilots fit the average.
Impact of the Bell Curve: Many designs based on the average end up serving no one effectively.

Data Is Just Data

Big Data vs. Thick Data:
- Big Data: Provides trends and patterns but lacks context.
- Thick Data: Adds depth by understanding how people feel, think, and react, complementing big data.
Combining Data Types: Using both big data and thick data helps identify areas of exclusion and understand user behaviors and motivations.

Persona Spectrum

Inclusive vs. Universal Design:
- Universal Design: One-size-fits-all.
- Inclusive Design: One-size-fits-one.
Solving for One, Extending to Many: The persona spectrum helps identify and solve mismatches for one person, which can then be extended to benefit many others.
Understanding Human Dimensions: Focuses on a continuum of physical, cognitive, emotional, and societal aspects to address mismatches.
Example of Persona Spectrum:
- Hearing Abilities: Ranges from permanent (deafness) to temporary (ear infection) to situational (construction worker).
- Closed Captioning: Initially designed for the deaf and hard-of-hearing, it benefits many others in various situations.

Summary

Inclusive design shifts the focus from designing for an assumed average user to designing with real people who will use the product, considering their diverse needs and experiences. By recognizing that there is no such thing as an average user and employing tools like the persona spectrum, designers can create more inclusive products. Combining big data with thick data ensures a deeper understanding of user needs, motivations, and contexts, leading to more effective and inclusive solutions.

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Description

Learn about the importance of considering technical, business, and historical factors in inclusive design. Discover how design is shaped by these factors and how to create more inclusive solutions.