Exploring the ongoing diversity issues embedded in product design

Conrad, Franziska and Underwood, Gary (2019) Exploring the ongoing diversity issues embedded in product design. Fifth International Conference for Design Education Researchers: DRS Learn X Design 2019: Insider Knowledge, , Ankara, Turkey. 09 - 12 Jul 2019. pp. 321-330 . (doi:10.21606/learnxdesign.2019.18021).

Abstract

The Fourth Industrial Revolution offers great opportunities and challenges to the UK designeconomy. The emphasis on communication and connectivity, together with new disciplines and newmarkets derived from technological, political and social change, makes it all the more crucial that the futuredesign industry is infused with a wide range of skills, experience and perspectives. Lack of diversity ishindering that process, and this is especially true in product and industrial design – an industry which is 95%male with no measurable black contingent, according to current figures. Focusing on gender imbalance andopportunities for black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) designers, this paper explores some of the issuessurrounding diversity and inclusion in product design. Using data drawn from a survey of BA/BSc studentsfrom Bournemouth University’s Product Design programme, together with academic records from the pastfive years, the authors investigate some worrying and enlightening trends amongst young designers inhigher education. Drawing on the views of previous research and current professional practitioners, thepotential causes behind the diversity deficit are explored, along with the methods that some companies areusing to try to help build a more inclusive cohort of UK product designers for the future design economy

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Contributors

Author: Franziska Conrad

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