Reflection #2
10.17.2025
: Spiraling Design Process
When you keep doing something for a long time, you slip into patterns—you stop noticing certain things. It’s like going on autopilot. You get numb. I’ve been constantly creating, reflecting, designing for years, because of that, I assumed I was always being insightful. But over time, I forgot: when the problems I tackle are mostly rooted in my own lived experiences, no matter how interesting they seem, I end up trapped in my own little universe.
I’m not saying that’s bad. But it means I stopped looking outward. I started looping around the same angles.
These past weeks, the readings and videos hit me like a reset button. At first, I thought going through design strategies I’d already learned wouldn’t bring new insights—but I was wrong. As I read, I realized: there are methods I’ve never applied. I’ve just gotten too comfortable with certain strategies I know well and forgot that more options even exist
The materials didn’t just give me new ideas—they made me reflect on past projects and see how they could’ve been stronger. For example, I’ve been really focused on human-centered design—but the “human” I’ve designed for has mostly been the majority. The idea of Universal Design is still new to me. I used to think designing for most people was enough. But now I see how Universal Design shifts the center—making sure inclusion isn’t just an add-on, but a starting point.
The question that’s been spiraling in my head lately is the idea of designing for equity and access. Not in a condescending way—like designing what I think people need—but really digging into what they actually need. People live in entirely different worlds. You can’t truly understand someone else’s reality without living it. And that’s the tension: how do you get the majority to care about the lived experiences of the minority? I think Universal Design is a big part of the answer.
Before taking this class, I’d never consciously noticed that something like a sidewalk ramp is actually a form of Universal Design. It’s so common that I completely overlooked its original purpose. I think that’s where the opportunity lies—not just in designing, but in educating. Getting people to notice what they’ve been overlooking. Using design to spotlight inequality, and help others start thinking differently about what “access” really means.
The team project also helped me slow down and reflect. Instead of jumping straight into a quick solution and rushing into design, we actually took the time to understand our users and build real empathy. The more you connect with them, the more those stereotypical images start to break down. That’s where true design begins—building with them, not just for them. Our team discussions also taught me the value of listening and negotiating. And honestly, it was fun seeing different ideas spark, clash, then slowly shape into something we all genuinely liked.