Iterative Design
Many companies develop products that meet a specific market need without thinking about how their designs might be affected by disabilities or other human differences. They are unaware that a design detail that seems insignificant to someone with impaired vision might be impossible for someone with limited mobility to use, for example. These are known as accessibility issues. Accessibility and inclusivity concerns can be addressed through iterative design, which ensures that all users will find the product usable.
Iterative design is a process that involves creating prototypes and testing them to see how well they perform. If the design fails, a new version is created and tested again. This process continues until the team is satisfied that their design is ready to be released. The advantage of Iterative design is that it takes less time and money to create a usable product, and there is a higher chance of success. Using this method can also save businesses from having to recall defective products after they’re already on the market.
As the design world moves toward greater inclusivity, iterative design has the power to be a critical tool for designers and developers. Incorporating inclusivity into the design and prototyping process can reduce the need for expensive adjustments, improve employee and customer experiences, maximize productivity, spur innovation, and elevate brands. Iterative design can also help companies manage risk and avoid costly lawsuits.
Iterative Design for Accessibility and Inclusivity
While there are some similarities between inclusive design and usability, there are some key differences as well. Both methodologies aim to make products convenient for everyone, but inclusive design goes further by focusing on diversity and trying to identify potential barriers that might exclude people. Inclusive design tries to learn from and include as many people as possible, which can lead to a more diverse range of perspectives and a better final product.
While both methodologies can be used separately, they are most effective when used together. Usability addresses the basic needs of all users and is often a requirement for legal compliance in places like the United States, where the Americans with Disabilities Act requires designs to follow certain standards. Accessibility, on the other hand, addresses specific handicaps that might affect a person’s ability to use a product or service and is not legally mandated in the same way as the ADA.
Incorporating both of these principles into iterative design can produce the best results for all customers. This is especially true when the end users are included in the testing and feedback process with each iteration, which makes it more likely that the final product will be accessible and usable for all.
