Brands spent decades creating their marketing and messaging for a very specific “target consumer” who was thoroughly researched and carefully targeted.
This ideal customer aligns with company values and is a loyal buyer of company products or services.
Modern times have eliminated the notion of customizing entire marketing strategies and product design to a “target market”. So how can brands adapt to all of the current users?
Inclusion design is the solution.
More than a Trend
Although the inclusive design might sound like a trendy buzzword, it is here to stay. Inclusion design is based on universality and accessibility, which flips the notion of the average user. Instead of focusing solely on a specific consumer group, the inclusive design considers the many people who may visit a company’s website to use its products, services, technology, or go to its shops.
It is important to ensure everyone can access and enjoy the entire company’s online presence.
Inclusive design aims to make it possible for consumers to access a wide range of products and services regardless of gender, sexual identity, ability, language, culture, age, or gender. The inclusive design recognizes users’ needs and aims to provide high-quality products and services that many people can use. This new design concept ensures that no user is left behind.
Inclusive Design: The Benefits
Inclusion design recognizes that there are no two users alike. It is about growing to include all users. Traditional design models, without even knowing it, have often excluded certain groups from the consumer market by not considering their needs.
Including accessibility and inclusion in your brand’s branding is not just a good idea. This will make your product or services more accessible to a wider audience. There are two benefits.
Incorporating Inclusivity
Although inclusive design is making a lot of headway in today’s market, many brands are still waiting to act. Why is this? Perhaps they don’t know where or how to begin. It’s not easy to make a conscious decision to be inclusive in your design. But it is possible. There are two steps that can help you make this positive change.
Building a strong team is the first step. This team must be diverse. A curated team that includes people from different backgrounds, such as age, language proficiency, nationality, ability, sexual orientation, gender, political preference, and so on, will allow your brand to see the world through a wider lens. Your brand will benefit from the right team to bring about positive change.
Moving forward
Your brand will find it both challenging and rewarding to take these first steps towards inclusive designs. This approach doesn’t only work for people with disabilities and impairments. Your brand’s products or services will be used and interpreted differently by each individual.
Your goal is to make your brand accessible to as many people possible. As we age, grow, mature and age, so will our abilities. Got reading glasses? The internet will change the way you interact with it. Have you recently had surgery on your hands? Even if it is for a brief time, your way of using products will change.
