Short answer
Designers should actively question and deconstruct implicit societal norms within their design process to ensure inclusivity and avoid perpetuating exclusionary practices.
- Field
- Classic Design
- Source
- UCL Press eBooks (2020)
- Method
- Qualitative analysis of legal, policy, and everyday practices across multiple national contexts.
- Evidence
- Strong effect
Societal norms, such as the 'couple-norm,' significantly shape the design of products, services, and environments, often implicitly favouring traditional structures. This classic design research insight is drawn from a 2020 study published in UCL Press eBooks. Using Qualitative analysis of legal, policy, and everyday practices across multiple national contexts., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Designers should actively question and deconstruct implicit societal norms within their design process to ensure inclusivity and avoid perpetuating exclusionary practices.
The Enduring Influence of the 'Couple-Norm' on Design
Societal norms, such as the 'couple-norm,' significantly shape the design of products, services, and environments, often implicitly favouring traditional structures.
UCL Press eBooks · 2020
Key Findings
- 01The 'couple-norm' remains a potent force, influencing intimate citizenship regimes.
- 02Legal, policy, and everyday practices institutionalize and support the couple-form.
- 03This norm shapes the intimate life choices and trajectories of individuals, particularly those outside the conventional heterosexual cohabiting couple.
- 04Despite liberalization and pluralization, the couple-norm persists, often subtly.
Application
Design takeaway
Designers should actively question and deconstruct implicit societal norms within their design process to ensure inclusivity and avoid perpetuating exclusionary practices.
How to apply
When designing for households or family-related services, consider scenarios beyond the nuclear heterosexual couple, such as single-parent households, multi-generational living, or chosen family structures.
Project actions
- 01Consider how your design might be perceived or used by individuals or groups who don't fit the 'typical' user profile.
- 02Research the cultural and societal norms relevant to your design context before finalizing user personas.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Cross-national comparison provides a broader perspective on the norm's influence.
- +Integrates legal, policy, and lived experience perspectives.
Limitations
The specific national contexts studied may not be representative of all potential user bases. The abstract nature of 'normativity' can be challenging to quantify in a design project.
Reliability & validity
The study's validity is enhanced by its multi-contextual approach and integration of diverse data sources. Reliability would depend on the consistency of qualitative coding and interpretation.
Think critically
To what extent do designers have a responsibility to challenge or reinforce existing societal norms through their work?
Design Principles
"Design for diverse realities: Acknowledge and accommodate a spectrum of user needs, lifestyles, and relationship structures beyond traditional archetypes."
Understanding deeply ingrained societal norms is crucial for designers to avoid unintentional exclusion and to create more inclusive and adaptable solutions. Recognizing these norms allows for the development of designs that acknowledge and accommodate diverse user needs and lifestyles.
What This Means for Your Design
The way society thinks about couples affects how things are designed, sometimes making it harder for people who aren't in traditional couples.
How to use in your project
- 1.Use this research to justify the need for inclusive design strategies in your project, demonstrating an awareness of societal influences on user needs.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
This research highlights the pervasive influence of the 'couple-norm' on societal structures and everyday practices. Designers must be cognizant of how such deeply ingrained norms can implicitly shape product use and user experience, potentially leading to exclusionary outcomes. Therefore, a critical examination of underlying societal assumptions is essential to develop inclusive and equitable design solutions that cater to diverse user needs and lifestyles.
Source
Questions About This Research
- What does the research say about the enduring influence of the 'couple-norm' on design?
- Designers should actively question and deconstruct implicit societal norms within their design process to ensure inclusivity and avoid perpetuating exclusionary practices. Evidence: UCL Press eBooks (2020).
- Why does "The Enduring Influence of the 'Couple-Norm' on Design" matter for design?
- Understanding deeply ingrained societal norms is crucial for designers to avoid unintentional exclusion and to create more inclusive and adaptable solutions. Recognizing these norms allows for the development of designs that acknowledge and accommodate diverse user needs and lifestyles.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Designers should actively question and deconstruct implicit societal norms within their design process to ensure inclusivity and avoid perpetuating exclusionary practices.
- What were the main findings?
- The 'couple-norm' remains a potent force, influencing intimate citizenship regimes.. Legal, policy, and everyday practices institutionalize and support the couple-form.. This norm shapes the intimate life choices and trajectories of individuals, particularly those outside the conventional heterosexual cohabiting couple.. Despite liberalization and pluralization, the couple-norm persists, often subtly.
- What research method was used?
- Qualitative analysis of legal, policy, and everyday practices across multiple national contexts..
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2020 journal from UCL Press eBooks.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When designing for households or family-related services, consider scenarios beyond the nuclear heterosexual couple, such as single-parent households, multi-generational living, or chosen family structures.
- What are the limitations?
- The study focuses on specific European contexts and may not fully represent global variations in norms. The research is primarily sociological and may not directly translate to all design disciplines without further interpretation.