Microaggression in Digital World
Microaggression in design refers to subtle issues occurring everyday while intarcting with physical or digital interfaces, creating extra barriers especially for minorities and marginalised groups. Depending on factors such as gender, language, or race, people might have to spend more effort and face more challenges on digital spaces. For instance, while filling out an online form, women or people of other gender identities may have to scroll down the list where ‘male’ is set as the default, if their gender is included at all. The design choices behind these exclusionary interfaces are not necessarily intentional, but they often come from the default system (of thinking), unconsciously influencing designers. This design flaw can create, maintain or intensify harm, exclusion and social inequality. In this programme we aim to explore how more thoughtful digital experience design choices can not only support current users, but also create a path for future designers to design more inclusive and accessible systems. We will also examine how policy has (or has not) prevented severe consequences of the current design practices in the digital world, and how it should be improved to address these challenges more effectively.
In conversation with Lisanne Buik Founder Gracious AI,PhD Researcher Ethical AI Design & Alignment Peter van Waart Coordinator Smart & Social City, Human Experience Design Researcher