6 replies to this topic

[breakbeat12]

I was just wondering if anyone could tell me the different between inclusive design and universal design. The only difference to my understanding is that inclusive design doesn't focus on age or disability as much as universal design. I'm not even sure if that's right. Any help appreciated.

[RamanMaan]

The universal design is human-centered design means it include all persons in mind and their views during designing. The inclusive design is not a design style but an orientation to any design process.

[jimmykebab]

Yeah, I've been reading up a lot on this, the lines do seem a bit blurred. But I think inclusive design doesn't have to serve everyone, it's more like simplification, but then some people's more complex needs aren't being met. I.e. ipod shuffle vs touch.

[jhonman11]

In my opinion Universal Design refer to the term broad - spectrum ideas which actually meant to make buildings, enviorments or products and that can be accessible for people with disablities or people without disabilites.

[designworks]

Inclusive design targets the demands for the usability of products so that it can be easily used by as many people as possible. A good example of this washing machines that are designed to have braille markings. Smart phones with virtual assistants which can be very helpful for users that have problem reading since a text message can be read and reply can be recognized, typed and sent by the virtual assistant on a smart phone. Universal design is considered as a transgenerational design.

[generatewhatsnext]

Thanks for asking a very important question - and one that can always use some clarification!

Universal Design is a very broad objective where the goal is to enable the abilities of everyone when thinking through the inevitable uses and interactions of a product. There are sub-categories of design that have, in the past, been efforts toward the goal of Universal Design, but most of those sub-categories (transgenerational, accessible, global, etc) came about as a result of specific user needs. After decades of design refinement and the ever-merging sharing of communication, Universal Design has come about as the ultimate goal for designing a product for people.

The link below is a presentation we first gave in 2002 to students and the design staff of Black & Decker. It's significance and importance has only grown stronger since. Please feel free to contact me if you have further questions.

http://dl.dropbox.co...rsal_design.pdf

[bowlofnoodle]

It is really similar and depends on where it is used.

To me inclusive design is to design a product to accommodate to the 90 percentile and to use Anthropocentric data. I was actually studying exchange at NCSU - Universal Design Centre. And the class was focus on design product considering ergonomics and about using the data. Designing hand grips, handles and things like that. It did not favor project that just looking at a different way of doing.

Where as Universal Design to me is design, the solution could be anything. Looking at it holistically. It does not have to focus too much on ergonomics.