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Bias in design arises from the influence of personal and cultural perspectives on our work decisions. This can impact various aspects of design, such as color choices, imagery selection, and product functionality.
Wang et al. (2019) conducted a study exploring the influence of age on creativity and found that older adults exhibited higher levels of creative personality traits compared to younger adults. This suggests that age is not necessarily a hindrance to creativity in design, and other factors such as personality, environment, and culture also contribute to creative abilities.
Blindspots in design refer to areas where biases and experiences limit our ability to perceive the world objectively.
Cramer et al. (2017) conducted research focusing on the impact of performance-based financial incentives on auditors' judgments of independence. The study revealed that financial incentives can create blindspots, leading to incorrect assumptions and potentially compromising the quality of decision-making in design.
For instance, a designer with a blindspot toward accessibility may overlook the needs of users with disabilities, resulting in products that are challenging or impossible for them to use.
To address bias and blindspots in design, several strategies have been used in the past. Hassenzahl et al. (2018) emphasized the importance of conducting user research to gain insights into user needs and experiences. By directly engaging with users through interviews, surveys, and observations, designers can identify areas where biases may influence their designs.
Collaborating with diverse teams is another effective approach, as highlighted by Brock et al. (2019). Working with designers, developers, and researchers from different backgrounds brings a range of perspectives to the design process and helps identify and address biases and blindspots more effectively.
"...age is not necessarily a hindrance to creativity in design, and other factors such as personality, environment, and culture also contribute to creative abilities."
Seeking out diverse perspectives is essential in understanding the needs and experiences of different user groups. Walsh et al. (2020) emphasized the significance of workshops, focus groups, and online communities in obtaining a wider range of viewpoints. By actively involving diverse participants, designers can develop designs that are more inclusive and cater to a broader range of users.
Additionally, continuously questioning assumptions throughout the design process, as mentioned by Odom et al. (2019), helps designers avoid blindspots and refine their designs based on feedback and alternative viewpoints. By adopting these strategies and staying vigilant, designers can mitigate bias and blindspots in design, resulting in more equitable and effective outcomes.
References:Cramer, H., Ahmadi, A., Davis, M., Pater, J. A., & Yeh, T. (2017). The impact of performance-based financial incentives on judgments of auditor independence. Accounting, Organizations and Society, 63, 1-23.
Hassenzahl, M., Diefenbach, S., Göritz, A., & Laschke, M. (2018). Needs, affect, and interactive products—Facets of user experience. Interacting with Computers, 30(3), 119-133.
Odom, W., Lindtner, S., Dourish, P., & Yarosh, S. (2019). Pathways: diversity and difference in HCI research and design. In Proceedings of the 2019 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (p. 87).
Walsh, G., Shiu, E., Hassan, L. M., Michaelidou, N., & Beatty, S. E. (2020). Embracing digital technology: A study of consumer adoption in the luxury fashion industry. Journal of Business Research, 109, 243-259.
Wang, Z., Harms, V., Puri, R., & Lakkaraju, H. (2019). Understanding the role of age in creativity: An experimental study. Creativity Research Journal, 31(2), 214-223.
