Pushing for More Inclusive Foundations

Michael Champlin
05 Oct 2021
9:00 am - 9:50 am CDT

Pushing for More Inclusive Foundations

Our work toward making our products and experiences more inclusive can’t just be considered at the end of the design process; it’s foundational. As designers, we’re well-positioned to push for positive change, but it’s not always easy.

I’ll speak about my experience creating a non-binary persona for a Fortune 500 technology company, from initial ideation and development through high-stakes deliverables. When we build inclusive foundations, we empower ourselves and others to build inclusive experiences and products.

Learning Objectives

  • Inclusivity can’t be an afterthought, it has to come from the ground up
  • As designers we’re well-placed to push for positive change, but it can be scary
  • Designing with under-represented people in mind makes them more likely to feel safe in our experiences (and therefore use our products)