Isn’t Designing for EDI in the Workplace Just Design?

Material Source invited seven sector professionals — including Leanne Armstrong, Creative Director of Black Ivy Design — to consider the question: ‘Isn’t designing for EDI in the workplace just design?’ The consensus was that, in some ways, yes — but not just ‘design’, rather ‘good design’.

“And to know what you’re doing is actually correct,” added Leanne Armstrong. “It might be ok with Building Control, but are you catering for everybody?” She compared today’s conversations around EDI to those had a few years ago about sustainability: “It’s about educating people as well, and it’s difficult.”

Working primarily in the hospitality sector, Armstrong noted it’s about “making a space look good while also ensuring everybody feels catered for.” On a live food hall project, acoustics were given much thought — “Noise can be triggering for people” — and the ability for guests to choose between noisy or quiet, bright or dark environments was raised as central to inclusive design.

Originally published by Material Source, in association with Crown Paints.