5 ways to incorporate inclusivity
We’re bringing you a blog series filled with 5 design tips to help your business bloom. Missed part 1 and 2? Catch up here.
Part 3 is all about incorporating inclusivity: designing for everyone.
Good design is for everyone. Ensuring your designs are inclusive means considering accessibility, representation and usability. By prioritising inclusivity, you not only make your brand more welcoming but also increase its reach and impact!
Why inclusivity matters
Design shapes the way people experience the world. When a design is exclusive-whether in terms of accessibility, representation, or usability- it alienates potential audiences. Inclusive design creates a sense of belonging, fosters trust, and broadens your customer base.
Consider how a wheelchair user navigates an exhibition space- if signs, display heights and pathways are not designed with accessibility in mind, this can massively impact someone’s experience. Similarly, when digital content lacks sufficient colour contrast, people with visual impairments may struggle to engage with it. Small design choices can have a huge impact on usability and inclusion.
We can’t think of everything all the time, especially if accessibility isn’t something we need to think about for ourselves, but empathy and learning to be mindful of how people can be included, goes a long way and really helps people to feel valued and invited into our brand’s story.
Have you seen our live discussions about inclusivity in tourism with Louisa from InclUSion? Check them out here for more inspiration.
(Check out our April Tools blog post with links to some useful tools to help you design easier, with accessibility in mind.)
Key Ways to Design Inclusively
Accessibility first: Ensure text is legible, colour contrast is sufficient and digital content is screen-reader-friendly. Using a tool like WebAIM’s Contrast Checker is quick and easy, and makes such a difference to your designs and the people who are looking at them.
(A tool like this helps you to follow the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).)
Diverse representation: Use imagery that authentically reflects different backgrounds, abilities, and experiences- not just for the sake of ticking a box but to create meaningful connections. People engage with brands that represent people like them, if they can’t see someone like themselves in your story, they may feel like they’re not invited either.
User-centred design: Conduct research and gather feedback from a diverse range of users to refine and improve your design choices. The only way to become more aware of other people’s needs and how your designs/content are meeting those needs, is to ask questions, listen to the answers and make changes to help people access your brand better.
Consider physical & digital spaces: Whether designing an event space, a website, or printed materials, ensure that everyone can engage equally. If it’s a physical space- could someone with mobility issues connect with your space, can they reach, can they see, is your space overloaded with sensory-heavy things? If it’s a digital space- can someone with visual impairment read/see it, do you have alt text set up, do you have captions on your videos?
Language & tone: Be mindful of wording and communication styles that make people feel included rather than excluded. Visuals and written words go hand-in-hand, do you LOOK accessible and invitational as well as SOUND accessible and invitational? It’s not just one, it’s both.
How to implement inclusivity
Test your designs: Gather feedback from users with different needs to spot potential barriers. You won’t get it right all of the time, but be open to learning.
Follow accessibility guidelines: Resources like WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) provide valuable standards for creating accessible digital content.
Prioritise simplicity: Cluttered layouts or overly complex designs can exclude people with cognitive disabilities- keep things clear and easy to navigate.
Inclusivity in design isn’t just a trend- it’s a necessity.
When you design with diversity in mind, you make space for everyone which fosters loyalty and trust in your brand. It’s not a trend, it’s not a fad, it’s not just to tick a box and show that you have, it’s to connect with people and meet the needs of your audience. It’s a necessity for authentic connection.
Stay tuned for part 4, where we’ll explore the power of simplicity in design and how it can elevate your brand’s message.
We’re rooting for you
and your business to bloom 🌷
Need help creating accessible designs? You don’t have to go it alone, we’d love to help you! Whether you need a rebrand, a brand refresh, templates, brand guidelines or something else, we’ve got you covered. Let’s chat: book in a no-obligation discovery call or drop us an email: hello@bloom-creative.co.uk. We can’t wait to help you make an impact with your visuals!
Bloom Creative is a design business based in Kent who support local and national businesses with a range of services that enhance their brand and get them seen and remembered, including: quality digital content, eye-catching print design, and bespoke branding & brand refreshes.
If you’re interested in our services and/or getting to know us better, you can book in a virtual coffee break call with founder Amy Walters.
