Fairness in Design Shifts Focus from Output to Process
Achieving equitable design outcomes necessitates a fair and inclusive design process that considers diverse user needs.
Design Studies · 2018
Key Findings
- 01The pursuit of inclusivity in design can create a paradox where addressing the widest audience might exclude specific needs.
- 02Applying Rawls' theory of justice as fairness suggests that the demand for equitability should shift from the design output to the design process itself.
- 03The questions of 'standards of justice' and 'metrics of justice' are relevant to design, with a Rawlsian approach being suitable for standards, and metrics requiring revision.
Application
Design takeaway
Prioritize a fair and equitable design process to achieve truly inclusive and just design outcomes.
How to apply
When initiating a design project, establish clear guidelines for user research and stakeholder engagement that ensure representation from marginalized or diverse groups. Regularly review the design process to identify and mitigate potential biases or exclusions.
Project actions
- 01When planning your design project, think about how you will involve a wide range of users and perspectives.
- 02Consider how your design decisions might unfairly impact certain groups and try to address this early on.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Applies a robust philosophical framework (Rawls' theory of justice) to a practical design problem.
- +Offers a novel perspective by shifting the focus from product to process.
Limitations
It can be challenging to ensure true fairness in a design process due to time, resource, or access constraints.
Reliability & validity
The validity of this theoretical application rests on the strength of the philosophical argument and its logical extension to design practice. Reliability would be assessed by the consistency of applying these principles across different design contexts.
Think critically
How can designers practically implement a 'fair process' when faced with competing stakeholder demands and limited resources?
Design Principles
"Justice in design is achieved through a fair process that accounts for diverse human differences."
This insight challenges the traditional focus on the final product's inclusivity by highlighting the critical role of the design methodology. By prioritizing fairness in the process, designers can proactively address potential inequities and ensure a wider range of users are considered from the outset.
What This Means for Your Design
To make designs that work for everyone, focus on making the way you design fair and inclusive, not just the final product.
How to use in your project
- 1.Reference this research when discussing your design methodology and how you ensured user inclusivity throughout your design process.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
(2018). Just design. Design Studies. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.destud.2017.10.001 Retrieved from https://designdex.org/study/ff678516-edd0-438b-9ce5-2794802df2be/fairness-in-design-shifts-focus-from-output-to-process
Paragraph starter
The principles of justice as fairness, as explored by Bianchin and Heylighen (2018), suggest that equitability in design should be a focus of the design process itself, not solely the output. This research highlights the importance of ensuring that the methods used to develop a design are fair and inclusive, actively considering diverse user needs and perspectives throughout development to avoid paradoxes of inclusivity.
Source
Questions about this research
- What does the research say about fairness in design shifts focus from output to process?
- Prioritize a fair and equitable design process to achieve truly inclusive and just design outcomes. Evidence: Design Studies (2018).
- Why does "Fairness in Design Shifts Focus from Output to Process" matter for design?
- This insight challenges the traditional focus on the final product's inclusivity by highlighting the critical role of the design methodology. By prioritizing fairness in the process, designers can proactively address potential inequities and ensure a wider range of users are considered from the outset.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Prioritize a fair and equitable design process to achieve truly inclusive and just design outcomes.
- What were the main findings?
- The pursuit of inclusivity in design can create a paradox where addressing the widest audience might exclude specific needs.. Applying Rawls' theory of justice as fairness suggests that the demand for equitability should shift from the design output to the design process itself.. The questions of 'standards of justice' and 'metrics of justice' are relevant to design, with a Rawlsian approach being suitable for standards, and metrics requiring revision.
- What research method was used?
- Philosophical inquiry and theoretical application.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2018 journal from Design Studies.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When initiating a design project, establish clear guidelines for user research and stakeholder engagement that ensure representation from marginalized or diverse groups. Regularly review the design process to identify and mitigate potential biases or exclusions.
- What are the limitations?
- The application of abstract philosophical theory to practical design can be complex and may require further empirical validation.
- Is there evidence that design affects design outcomes?
- Instead of solely focusing on whether the final product is inclusive, designers should ensure the process of designing is fair, considering diverse needs throughout development. This insight challenges the traditional focus on the final product's inclusivity by highlighting the critical role of the design methodology. Source: Design Studies (2018).
- Where does this just design research apply?
- Design theory and practice, particularly in relation to inclusive and equitable design. It sits within user-centred design research on designdex.org.
Related research topics
design design research · evidence on design · does design improve design outcomes · just design studies for designers · design and just design findings · user-centred design research evidence