Documentation_IxR_Lewandowski

IxR
Secondary Research
Universal design (UN)
Universal Design definition
A National Disability Authority says: “Universal Design is the design and composition of an
environment so that it can be accessed, understood and used to the greatest extent possible by all
people regardless of their age, size, ability or disability.”
We are designing for an aging, disabled and developing society. We should have a Universal
Design approach by designing products to enable as many people as possible to use them.
Universal design is not a perfect solution. Universal design is an approach and a goal to include as
many users as possible. Every designer should know and think about Universal Design principles
while creating solutions. The nine simple principles should be the guideline for the design process.
On every step of the development the designer should question if his solution fulfills the UD
principles.
Principles of universal design
Main criteria of universal design to follow during a design process:
Is the created design universal, accessible and usable?
Design can be accessible but not usable. The user is able to get inside of an elevator and reach
buttons but it is not clear which button to press if it is all in Japanese or only in Braille.
Design also can be usable but not accessible. The graphical design and the user experience of the
new ATM is great, but it doesn’t make much sense for a wheelchair user if he can’t reach the
interface or for a blind man who isn’t able to see it.
If the design is universal and functional but the target group can’t afford it, then it is not accessible
and the target group can’t use it.
Permanent checking of design if it fulfills universal design criteria is important to create a useful
product.
If your design is functional and the users love it but it is not profitable for the manufacturer, the
design project might fail. Universal design is a design for everyone. The manufacturers might like it
if your design may be used not only by disabled people but by all users, which is universal.
18 Sofia Lewandowski | MFA Interaction Design | College for Creative Studies | Detroit