Inclusive Design Framework: Exploring Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Designers’ Career Lifecycle

Achieving equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in the workplace and its reflection in the work we do throughout the design profession requires addressing challenges at every career stage. To support this effort, we are developing an Inclusive Design Framework based on real experiences of product (physical and digital), and service designers in the UK.

Grounded in qualitative interviews and co-design workshops conducted in 2022-2023, our research engaged over 30 designers across career levels, industries, backgrounds and demographics. By capturing their diverse narratives, we mapped the designer career lifecycle from education to various stages of employment. At each transition, we explored how EDI issues intersect and impact experiences.

This document represents an initial step toward the final framework - a journey map synthesizing the career stages and EDI challenges faced by designers. It outlines key milestones, barriers and strategies to foster inclusion through education, recruitment, career growth and workplace culture change.