CIU111.3 TOPIC 8

Leaving the meeting room, as a graphics designer, and hanging your head, because the CEO said the design wasn’t inclusive is a tough statement to swallow. Inclusive design is subjective and has many variables depending on the art form (video, photo, art, graphics, graphs).

Finding middle ground in inclusive design is a high priority for most (to all) designers of any art form. Just like anything, the act of balancing is hard. Life/work balance a well understood and known balancing act.

Though not in design, in projects I have had to implement methods and workarounds to be inclusive of cultures, gender, and in general inclusive to people who want to work on my projects. The balancing act of being inclusive but also not hindering the project or anyone else on the team. The final decision is the hardest, do you be inclusive in favor of not stopping anyone from working with you or exclusive in favor of only have the people you want on your team.

Exploring into this, there is already a major issue. Both options have downsides, of which neither stands out as a clear winner. So how do you choose?

By placing all cards on the table, designing the project to have a work around to target as much inclusivity as possible. By including people in a role they are confident with, and then discussing if this affects any cultures, genders, religions. Cover as many bases as possible. Refine, reflect and refine again. Having the patience to get it right the first time is key to being as inclusive as possible.

In the current reality, there will never going to be a 100% inclusive world/project/workplace. So why are we having this debate? The debate occurs, because we aren’t inclusive enough. You have plenty of options, workarounds, alternative methods to be inclusive, so why aren’t we taking action?

2017, a time of change and effect has yet to change the blindness of the older (“old school”) folks who have grown up in a society where you must fit in and uniqueness is punished, still have power over the young, unique individuals that want to be accepted for who they are, and be supported the same way the “hypothetical average” people are supported.

According to the Ontario College of Art and Design, there are three dimensions to inclusive design. 1. Recognize diversity and uniqueness. 2. inclusive process and tools. 3. Broader beneficial impact.

“Optimal inclusive design is best achieved through one-size-fit-one configurations.” Re-read that statement, That is ONE SIZE FITS ONE, not one size fits all. Flexibility and adaptability will put you one step closer to an inclusive design.

Overall, having an inclusive design isn’t difficult to obtain, the classification for an inclusive design is the gray area between the inclusive and exclusive black and white zones.

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