Inclusivity has long been synonymous with representation. However, as systems and products become increasingly complex, simply representing diverse voices is no longer enough. Today, inclusive design means designing with, not just for, the people we aim to serve.
This month, we’re exploring how organizations are rethinking their approach, embedding users as active co-creators rather than passive data points. From gaming to public transit to AI, the shift is clear: when the people you’re building for are part of the building process, innovation accelerates and solutions last.
What’s Going On
The gaming industry is redefining inclusive design by bringing players into the development process. Platforms like Roblox and Epic Games let users build experiences themselves, while independent studios like Inflexion are creating player councils to guide mechanics, accessibility features, and story arcs.
Why It Matters
Globally, over 3 billion people play video games, but traditional development processes rarely included underrepresented or disabled players early on. Now, games with co-creation pipelines see 30% higher player retention and more viral growth, according to Unity’s industry report.
How It’s Impacting Consumer Behavior
Players no longer want to be told stories they want to shape them. This behavior is driven by agency; people place more value on experiences they helped create. In design, this reflects a shift from inclusive content to inclusive creation, where personalization and agency are expected, not optional.
So What
If your business is designing any experience, whether digital or physical, consider how customers can shape it themselves. Co-creation doesn’t just improve engagement, it makes people feel seen. Begin by involving target users as collaborators in your prototyping process, not just at launch.
What’s Going On
Urban planners and mobility companies are inviting commuters into the planning process to ensure accessibility isn’t an afterthought. Projects like Move PGH in Pittsburgh utilize mobility hubs co-designed with riders across various abilities, ages, and socio-economic statuses.
Why It Matters
According to the Transportation Research Board, over 25% of urban dwellers have mobility or cognitive impairments, yet less than 10% of U.S. transit systems incorporate inclusive design feedback from these communities.
How It’s Impacting Consumer Behavior
We’re seeing the rise of access equity expectations; consumers now judge services by their capacity to accommodate diverse needs. This isn’t just a moral imperative; it’s a behavioral requirement. If a system doesn’t reflect a person’s reality, trust erodes, and usage drops. Co-designed mobility builds both trust and uptake.
So What
Whether you’re building a city, an app, or a healthcare plan, design with your users, not just for them. Include diverse stakeholders in mapping journeys, testing access points, and stress-testing usability under real-world conditions. Small changes yield outsized trust.
What’s Going On
AI systems have come under scrutiny for embedded biases, often a result of being trained on datasets that lack real-world representation. To counter this, platforms like Mozilla’s Common Voice are sourcing training data directly from diverse users to create more equitable models.
Why It Matters
Only 4% of speech datasets used in voice recognition come from speakers with non-standard accents or speech impairments (Zhang et al., 2023). This has created real-world disparities in access, from voice assistants to call center bots.
How It’s Impacting Consumer Behavior
People are increasingly aware of and wary about how AI systems “see” them. This is prompting a shift from passive usage to active participation in shaping data. Users are more willing to contribute when systems are open-source, transparent, and invite them to see how their input matters.
So What
Design your data pipelines with the people your product will serve. Let users know how their data is used, provide them with tools to correct inaccuracies, and establish mechanisms for ongoing participatory feedback. Building inclusivity into your algorithms isn’t just ethical, it’s strategic.
True inclusivity starts when we design with, not just for, the people we aim to serve. As systems grow more complex, co-creation isn’t just a best practice, it’s a strategic imperative. Let’s build the future together, with empathy at the core and voices at the table.
Books
Podcast
—
Stay curious, stay human.
The Rêve Team
