As part of the AIGA Design Conference, we shared in a fireside chat with the Valuable 500 on pushing inclusive design forward.

Pushing the margins of creativity

Organised by design’s oldest and largest professional membership association in the U.S., the AIGA Design Conference is a place where design’s power as both a strategic tool and cultural influence takes centre stage. Founded in 1914, AIGA has evolved into a vast network of professional designers, educators and enthusiasts. Their mission is to advance design as a profession, strategic advantage and vital cultural force. We were honoured to add our voices to this year’s platform embracing the theme ‘Margins’, exploring spaces of innovation and challenge, where designers are encouraged to push boundaries and create solutions that centre marginalised communities. Together with Caroline Casey, Co-founder of the Valuable 500, and Lee-Sean Huang, AIGA Director of Learning and Programs, Saffron Creative Director Craig Matchett shared in ‘Designing to Empower Disabled Communities’, a fireside chat on pushing inclusive design forward.

INCLUSIVE DESIGN MAKES AN IMPACT

Even with an estimated 1.3 billion people worldwide living with disabilities, their voices are often overlooked. Inclusive design isn’t about ticking boxes or ‘fixing’ something afterwards—it’s about unlocking creativity by moving the marginalised to the centre and designing for everyone from the start. Caroline stressed the need to move beyond minimal accessibility standards towards solutions that truly reflect the experiences of disabled people. She shared her vision of a future where organisations like the Valuable 500 are no longer needed because accessibility will already be integral to how businesses operate. Craig added that accessible design can spark greater creativity. By focusing on the needs of disabled users, designers can discover fresh ways to approach their work and create more innovative and effective design that benefits everyone.

Caroline Casey

The idea of being radically curious about what we don't know is so exciting. That's where innovation stands out.

Co-Founder, The Valuable 500

LEADERSHIP, LEARNING AND RADICAL CURIOSITY

The conversation also highlighted the importance of leadership, learning and radical curiosity, acknowledging that true leadership includes admitting what we don’t know and being willing to learn. Caroline’s call to ‘bring the people you’re designing for to the table’ was a reminder that progress comes from recognising our gaps in knowledge and approaching new challenges with curiosity and optimism. For designers, this means stepping outside their comfort zone and asking more questions. Craig pointed out that even the smallest design decisions can make a huge difference in people's lives. Whether it's ensuring a website is easy to navigate or making sure a product can be used by everyone, these small actions add up to real, meaningful change.

CRAIG MATCHETT

We are the best-placed people as creatives to make a difference. It's not just about one big action; it's about small, consistent actions, repeated over time, that really bring about change.

Creative Director, Saffron

DESIGNING AN INCLUSIVE FUTURE

Inclusive design is not a one-time project, but an ongoing commitment from designers to act with empathy, courage and constant curiosity.
Throughout our collaboration with the Valuable 500, we’ve aimed to help reshape how businesses around the world approach accessibility. We’ve shown that by involving marginalised voices at the centre of the design process, we can create memorable work that resonates deeply.
By embracing radical curiosity and amplifying diverse voices, we can shape a brighter and more inclusive world for everyone. A world where design empowers everyone, and helps ensure no one is left behind.

Designing to empower disabled communities

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Designing to empower disabled communities

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