Project Overview
The "Empathy-Driven Design Tools for Inclusive Innovation" project was designed to embed user-centered thinking into design education by developing method cards. The purpose was to create Open Educational Resources (OER) that could be integrated into industrial design courses, offering students practical tools to engage meaningfully with issues of accessibility and disability in design. The project began in Fall 2024 with a robust plan that included literature review, design, testing, and dissemination. Over the course of the year, the team developed a full collection of 96 method cards, both printed (for initial testing and in-class engagement) and digital (hosted as PDFs).
Outcomes
The project created a set of 96 method cards, both digital and printed. These resources are intended for design education and can be used in individual reflection, team workshops, or integrated into coursework. Each card includes:
- Method name and purpose
- Instructions and example activities
- Design prompts
- User consideration checklists
- Illustrative visuals
While we originally intended to develop an accompanying app, the significant depth required to design and validate the cards meant that much of the project effort was dedicated to research, writing, and graphic development.
The method cards became both a pedagogical and research tool. Faculty now use them not only to guide studio activities but also to frame discussions around equity and accessibility. The project has generated momentum for a potential dedicated course on inclusive design, supported by positive feedback from students and institutional partners.
A publication about the outcomes of this project has already been published at Oro, B., & Malhotra, S. (2025). Rethinking Design Education: The
Role of Universal Design in a Sustainable Future. DIID Disegno Industriale Industrial Design, 84. https://www.diid.it/diid/index.php/diid/article/view/oro-malhotra
Citation: Oro, B., & Malhotra, S. (2025). Inclusive Design Methodology. Iowa State University Digital Press. https://www.iastatedigitalpress.com/plugins/books/208/