Improving Diversity In Digital Design

Natalie Hughes highlights the real-world benefits that a diverse workforce can bring, and what’s being done to make this happen

The current lack of diversity within the UK design industry remains a major societal issue that should be a priority on every boardroom’s agenda. While the creative economy is booming, it performs poorly on diversity compared to the wider economy. According to the Design Council’s latest research, 85 percent of the digital design sector in the UK are male, and only 13 percent of the wider design economy are from BAME (Black, Asian and minority ethnic) groups. there’s a sector-wide diversity challenge, a disconnect for an industry that prides itself on being innovative and forward-thinking.

While the moral imperative for promoting a diverse and inclusive workforce is indisputable, it also makes business sense. Creating great design depends on understanding the needs of customers, who by their nature are diverse populations spanning socio-economic backgrounds, genders, sexual orientations, and disabilities. Building inclusive and diverse teams internally enable design agencies to create the most relevant, insightful and creative solutions externally.