Tip #1 - Collaborate with women early and often, especially those who have "lived it"
No brainer, right? You’d think so. Yet, gender bias still leads to products and experiences that don’t fully consider women's needs. Engage with women from different backgrounds, listen to their experiences, and design with, not just for them.
Go a step further by bringing some badass women into your design process. Partner with female leaders, experts, and users who challenge assumptions and drive real change. We’ve had the privilege of working with incredible women who have influenced and improved our designs - proof that diverse collaboration leads to stronger, more impactful solutions.
Always engage with women who have first-hand experience with the product or challenge you’re addressing. But don’t stop there - dig deeper. Many women have grown so accustomed to certain inconveniences or biases that they don’t even question them. Our job is to uncover those hidden pain points and design solutions that truly make a difference.
Many women have grown so accustomed to certain inconveniences or biases that they don’t even question them.
Tip #2 - Prevent misdiagnosis through design
Many products, from medical devices to safety gear, have been designed using male-dominated data, leading to misdiagnosis or ineffective solutions for women. Inclusive, research-driven design can help close these gaps. Women also face frequent medical bias - on the pill? That must be the cause of your symptoms. Just had a baby? Leaking is “normal.” These dismissive assumptions prevent real issues from being properly diagnosed and addressed. Thoughtful design can help challenge these biases and create better outcomes for women.
Tip #3 - Empathetic and clear UX/UI
Design should be clear, accessible, and genuinely user-friendly. A seamless experience is key, especially when addressing women’s needs in industries like healthcare, where poor UX has previously excluded them.
Tip #4 - Eliminate lazy gendered design
Slapping a pink logo on a product isn’t designing for women, it’s pure laziness. Avoid stereotypes and think beyond aesthetics.
Women don’t need watered-down or “feminised” versions of products, they need well-designed, high-quality solutions that work. Prioritise performance, durability, and usability over gimmicks.
Tip #5 - Diverse design team
A mix of perspectives leads to stronger, more inclusive designs. If your team lacks diversity, your product likely will too. Balance matters - not just for women, but for better design overall.
Want to learn more? Let’s chat about your next innovation – I’m available at ideas@lucidinnovation.com or through our contact form.