Crafting an Inclusive Brand: Key Questions to Ask Your Designer
So you're hearing the words "inclusive" and "accessible" being thrown around a lot in the world of business. But how can you make sure your brand is keeping up?
As a business owner, the ability to reach out to a diverse audience, and provide a great user experience for everyone isn't just the right thing to do, it's good for business. Working with a designer who shares your values and prioritises inclusivity is a crucial step toward creating a brand that resonates with all of your ideal clients. So, in this week's post we'll go over the essential questions you should ask your designer, to ensure your brand embodies inclusivity and accessibility in every aspect.
#1. How Will You Ensure Accessibility in the Design?
Accessibility is should be the backbone of an inclusive brand, so it has to be considered throughout your project - aka, not tagged on at the end with the use of a plugin. Ask your designer about their strategies for creating designs that are easy to read, navigate, and engage with for users of all backgrounds and abilities. Accessibility considerations include choosing colour schemes with sufficient contrast, legible typography, and designing with different devices in mind.
#2. Can You Explain Your Colour and Contrast Choices?
Colours play a vital role in your brand's message and aesthetics. When crafting an inclusive brand, it's really important to consider the visibility and readability of colours, especially for people with visual impairments (or literally anyone who needs glasses to read). Ask your designer how they plan to use color and contrast to ensure a seamless experience for all users. Avoid relying solely on colour to convey information or highlight certain text, and choose colour palettes that are accessible to individuals with colour blindness.
#3. What Fonts and Typography Will You Use?
Don't get me wrong, I love a fancy font as much as the next person, and sometimes they create a real distraction for me. But typography and font size significantly impacts the legibility and overall readability of your brand's message across all of your marketing tools. Inquire about the fonts and typography choices your designer plans to use. Clear, easy-to-read fonts are essential for ensuring an inclusive experience, particularly for users with visual impairments or dyslexia. Ask your designer about font sizes and what scale they usually work with.
#4. How Will You Optimise for Different Devices?
This seems dated, because nobody worth their salt should be creating a website that hasn't considered design across devices. In an age where users access the internet on various screen sizes, adaptability is key. Ensure your designer can create a responsive design that works seamlessly across smartphones, tablets, and computers. An inclusive brand should be accessible on the go, regardless of the device being used.
#5. Will You Include Alternative Texts for Images?
Images are a super powerful way to convey your brand's message and services, which is why they must be accessible to all users. Ask your designer if they plan to include alt texts for images, which allow screen readers to describe images to users with visual impairments. Make sure they intend to actually describe the images, not just add your keywords or give a vague description that doesn't help the user. This ensures that everyone can fully understand and engage with your brand's visual content.
#6. Can You Incorporate Inclusive Language?
Language plays a pivotal role in fostering a sense of belonging and inclusion. Now depending on your budget, you might choose to work with a copywriter, write the copy yourself, or your designer might work with you on crafting your brand messaging. Which is why it's helpful to find out if your designer plans to incorporate inclusive language that respects diverse identities, cultures, and backgrounds. Using inclusive pronouns and language that embraces diversity creates a welcoming and empowering brand voice.
Crafting an inclusive and accessible brand is not just about ticking boxes; it's a commitment to creating a positive impact on society. By asking your designer these key questions, you're taking a proactive step toward building a brand that speaks to a diverse audience, provides an exceptional user experience, and fosters a sense of inclusivity and belonging. Embrace diversity, empower your brand, and make a difference in the lives of your customers and community. Together, let's create a more inclusive and accessible world through the power of design.
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