Inclusive Design Trends in 2025
- Kisha Velazquez
- Mar 11
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 19
Building Digital Experiences That Work for Everyone.
Inclusive Design Trends in 2025: Building Digital Experiences That Work for Everyone
While U.S. politics may have polarized the topic of inclusion, the necessity of inclusive design in 2025 is undeniable. At this year's Axe-Con conference, Vitaly Friedman, a renowned web design expert, shared groundbreaking insights into creating digital experiences that truly work for everyone.
According to Friedman, here are a few examples of bad user experiences that web managers should avoid in 2025.
So how do you create inclusive design experiences for users? It starts with understanding that in our busy world, we are all bombarded with distractions. Another key point is realizing no two users are the same. It is our job as designers and content managers to alleviate the friction with transparency and intuitive user flows.
Rethinking Accessibility: Beyond the Checklist
Many organizations view accessibility as a simple checklist item, but Friedman argues this approach misses the point. Accessibility isn't about ticking boxes; it's about creating meaningful, usable experiences for all users. We have to move away from thinking about "average users" and recognize that no such thing exists.
The Problem with "Average" Users
Friedman emphasizes that:
There is no such thing as an "average" user
Customers don't fit into neat, predefined categories
Every user is unique, with diverse needs and abilities
Disabilities can be permanent, temporary, or situational
Designing for Diversity: Key Insights
Color Blindness Considerations
With approximately 300 million people experiencing color weakness or color blindness, designers must be strategic:
Never rely on color alone to convey information
Use tools like "Who Can Use" to test color combinations
Consider color contrast and alternative visual indicators
Motion and Accessibility
About 30% of people are susceptible to motion sickness. Friedman recommends:
Respecting user physics in design
Providing motion consent options
Avoiding unnecessary parallax and distracting animations
Implementing "reduce motion" settings
Understanding Generational Needs
Gen Z: The Most Diverse Generation
Friedman is optimistic about Gen Z, describing them as:
Highly diverse in race, ethnicity, and identity
Mobile-first (often mobile-only)
Valuing authenticity, fairness, and sustainability
Expecting closed captioning and transparent communication
Designing for an Aging Population
With 1 billion people over 60, consider:
Avoiding age-related stereotypes
Providing clarity and independence
Using larger text (16+ pixels)
Ensuring high color contrast
Using plain, straightforward language
Practical Design Recommendations
Place error messages above input fields
Use large, legible text
Create predictable navigation
Implement helpful, specific error messages
Provide easy undo and cancellation options
The Ultimate Goal: Clarity and Empowerment
Friedman's message is clear: design should maximize clarity and minimize user errors. By focusing on inclusivity, we create better experiences for everyone—not just users with specific accessibility needs.
Inclusive design is about empathy, understanding, and creating digital experiences that welcome and support all users. As we move into 2025 and beyond, it's not just a trend—it's the standard we should all aspire to meet.
This post is inspired by Vitaly Friedman's Axe-Con 2025 talk.
