Inclusive Design through Individual Insight

Today's human factors designers are faced with the challenge to accommodate more diversity in people and their relationships with technology than ever before. Technology is available to people at work, home and play. People encounter technology ranging from simple mechanical tools and systems to those that are complex, sometimes virtual and invisible. Users range from the very young to the very old, from the fit to the infirm, all with different physical, cognitive, lifestyle and cultural needs and desires. Such a range of issues forces human factors designers to take a more holistic view of people and to consider a more complete range of human factors. This paper considers some ways that human factors designers can help to create design responses that are inclusive of this diversity. The emphasis is on using empathic design methods that connect designers with real people to take them beyond their own experience and culture.