opinions are what make us human

30/03/2020

The principles of Universal Design are not relevant because ‘One Size does not fit all’

- Against

Script:

Problems with ‘One size fits all’ and why it’s difficult to implement:

· Economic effect:

o To coincide with the 7 Principles more material must be used in building larger doors, hallways etc

· Less profit for companies as a whole:

o Universal Design provides adaptability to improve or change with the coming of a different situation

o A lamp: A universal lamp could change from being a desk lamp to being an overhead lamp with ease

o This could cut the profit of 3 different size lamps (of the same style) into 1 lamp

o This economic loss could be argued as relatively short term

· The pre existing world:

o The world around can only change so quickly

o Many buildings in Ireland (UL included) don’t/ can’t allow for wheelchair access without removing a few walls

What is happening now?

· Road infrastructure is being implemented to segregate cars, buses, bicycles and pedestrians

o Netherlands/London - cycle lanes that go around bus stops - no buses blocking bike traffic

o Shared spaces - no segregation - still follows the principles

· Road crossings are ‘universal’ because they incorporate all people of different abilities - patterns show what is ahead

o This patterns on the ground though safe for people with impaired vision are a danger for skateboards

Universal Design is all about the masses - the majority

· Nothing can be designed for everyone though we can try

· Universal Design is nearly everywhere

o Road Crossings

o Slopes

o Lifts in most buildings

o Buses - Low/wide entrance for wheelchairs, reserved space

o Anything adjustable

o USB ports - USB-A, USB-C, micro USB

o File formats

o Drumheads, guitar strings

· Universal Design must bide by the economy

o The perfect design exists but can’t be created

o Companies must have something ‘new’ for the next season as to make profit - slight problems must exist in the previous models (cameras)

o Universal Design = One size fits all would be communism

o Choice would be lost

The debate was a concoction of brilliance, boredom and explosions I suppose you could call them. Working in partners definitely was a great help though I feel sorry for those that had argue alone and without a fall back. With partners you can bounce off each other with different ideas, creating thoughts you didn't know the brain could master just yet. Humans are social animals which generally means we work best with others (the correct others that is). Admittedly myself and Patrick didn't practice as much as we should've when it came to the script. I suppose having only talked to him once in person made it a bit of a tricky scenario. But that's part of the challenge isn't it? That's what gets you up in the morning, no? Doing something you haven't a notion as to where to start but you get it done anyway because we're product designers at the end of the day. Problem solvers. Artists. Engineers. People. Homo Sapiens.... Getting a little off track but OK. Doing this debate online added to the overall discomfort of the whole situation. Not being able to see faces in a "nice" way (webcam) took away slightly from a clean argument in a partnership. That being said our problems could easily be put down to our lack of a fully written script as opposed to bullet points. In person my confidence with the bullet point technique would be much greater.

So the entire experience of it all. What did I think about it? Well... mixed. There were some humorous moments with well scripted arguments, wi-fi cutting out and heated arguments in the comments. I won't name names but to say the least I didn't realise some people had that spark in them to be honest. To finish I believe debates bring the real human out of us all, whether it be our way of talking or our opinions. Opinions based on fact aren't opinions at all.