DBA Inclusive Design Challenge
The DBA Inclusive Design Challenge - innovation through inclusive design - is an annual design competition with a difference. It illustrates the key role design can play in enhancing the quality of life for older and disabled people and all of us.
A collaboration between the Design Business Association (DBA) and the Helen Hamlyn Research Centre (HHRC), it was launched in 2000 as a creative response to the poor level of design endemic to the disability aids and equipment sector whose negative impact was outlined in the Audit Commission and DTI reports of that year and in subsequent ones from SCOPE and the Cabinet Office.
How does it work?
DBA member consultancies from all design disciplines are invited to respond to a design challenge: to create a mainstream product, service, environment or communication, which can be enjoyed equally by consumers of all abilities.
The shortlisted teams work with the HHRC, disabled users and other experts to ensure that all aspects of inclusivity are considered. The HHRC mentors the teams throughout the design process.
user testing
The aim is to develop innovative scenarios for a new generation of inclusive products, services, environments and communications - ones that meet the needs of the widest range of consumers, where function and form are indivisible and which appeal to niche and mainstream markets simultaneously. In short, inclusive design at the cutting edge of innovation.
The Challenge’s competitive yet participatory approach has set the standard for a new style of awards scheme where innovation is the keyword and design-friendly knowledge transfer about the inclusive design process the aim. To date, it has resulted in 33 beacon projects in inclusive design, involving over 300 designers and been likened to the ‘combined Oscars and Olympics of the inclusive design world.’
The Challenge has also developed new and exciting iterations of differing lengths in different contexts in the UK and abroad. More about Challenge workshops...
Details of past DBA Challenge entries can be found in our journals Innovate and Challenge. More information and full transcripts can be downloaded by following the links on the right.