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Summary
What's one thing that prevents our designs from truly serving and uplifting as many users as possible? Implicit bias. While design has the power to drive positive change in the world, it's much more likely to uphold oppressive systems (such as racism, ableism, sexism and classism). This leads to harmful and exclusionary user experiences that fail to deliver on design's promises of usability, delight, relevance and accessibility. In this session, Sandra explores how implicit bias shows up in our designs by examining real-world examples across various design disciplines, including graphic design, UX, service design and product design. She then reviews practical techniques you can apply to start to root out bias from your designs, including: Evaluating designs for patterns of implicit bias (such as racial bias, gender bias, language bias and beyond) Interrogating the root causes of these biases across the design process Addressing bias both preventively (before it happens) and reactively (after it happens)
Key Insights
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Bias is a systemic issue that reflects in design choices and societal norms.
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Implicit bias exists below the surface and influences our decisions unconsciously.
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Cognitive biases can lead to design outputs that favor dominant social groups.
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Designing with a focus on 'dominant defaults' perpetuates systemic injustice.
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Inclusive design considers a broader spectrum of identities and experiences.
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Accountability in design means recognizing and addressing biases and their consequences.
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Designers must engage in reflexivity to understand their own biases.
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Systemic bias affects how products and services are experienced by different groups in society.
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Inclusivity in design is not just about representation but also about actively dismantling oppressive systems.
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Real change requires a commitment to an ongoing process of listening and adapting to underserved populations.
Notable Quotes
"When we start to think about bias, it's not just in the UX context but globally."
"Technology reproducing biases isn't merely about individuals; it's a systemic issue."
"Systemic problems can't be solved with surface-level solutions."
"We must look at the bigger picture of how power is distributed in society."
"Bias showed up in our designs not only through intention but also through our unconscious defaults."
"Engaging diverse voices in the design process is crucial for equitable outcomes."
"Reflecting on our identities is essential in recognizing patterns of oppression."
"Each design element should reflect a commitment to inclusion and access for all users."
"We have a duty to challenge the norms that limit our understanding of who is a user."
"Real systemic change requires a cultural shift in design practices and priorities."
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