The economic potential of Universal Design:

How Universal Design can add value to business.

Critical Research Dissertation Research Proposal

HUDSON ALVES GARCIA

Division of Design
Atrium
University of South Wales
Dublin Institute of Design

2014

Aims
The aims of this dissertation is given to the reader a better understanding of
Universal Design and what it stands for. Including the potential of Universal Design
improving quality of living at the same time improving business.

Chapter 1 What is Universal Design?

Why use Universal Design?
The difference between Universal Design and Accessible Design
The first chapter of this dissertation will be focus on the concept of Universal Design.
Which is to develop product designs and environments that contemplate all human diversity:
from children, teenagers, tall and short adults, dwarfs, elders, pregnant women, obese
people, people with disabilities, reduced mobility, etc. A part of this chapter will be dedicated
to the 7 Universal Design principles1:
1. Equitable use
2. Flexibility in use
3. Simple and intuitive use
4. Perceptible information
5. Tolerance for error
6. Low physical effort
7. Size and space for approach and use
The researcher will explain why using Universal Design, it is possible to reduce the
cost of production and maintenance of services and products making it more affordable.
People with disabilities will have better access to mainstream products and services. The
research will demonstrate that Universal Design is to integrate customer groups rather
separate them and how it can substantially increase the companys target markets and
profit.
As Universal Design is constantly confused with Accessible Design, their difference
will be explain and how universal design can be a step forward in the right direction toward
creating a better product or user experience.

Chapter 2 Implementing Universal Design and its barriers

In the second chapter, the reader will be able to understand better how to implement
Universal Design and all the challenges involved in this process. The research will get in
touch with the Centre for Excellence in Universal Design in Ireland to understand what have
been done to promote and stimulate it. The research will investigate the barriers to
implement it and why some companies arent implementing. If the companies just dont know
about it or are avoiding to invest in it.
Some case studies will be shown in order to prove to the reader the economic
potential of Universal Design. Some of those examples are Legal & General and Tesco.com.
Legal & General, an UK supplier of financial services, after applying the principles of
Universal Design in their website could be able to see an increase in their site visitors each
1

Anonymous, The 7 Principles [online] 2014, at

http://www.universaldesign.ie/exploreampdiscover/the7principles (accessed: 28 September 2014)

month, the rise of online sales of insurance products and they saved considerable about of
money on their website maintenance. Another case of success implementing Universal
Design was Tesco.com which in 2002-2003, their web-based business made a profit 30
times more than in the previous year2. Other cases will be considered and analyse by the
researcher.
The researcher will investigate if there is one case or more that the implementation of
Universal Design failed or didnt achieved what was expect.

Chapter 3 Case of success

To give the reader a better understanding and proving subject about this dissertation,
the research intend to present a detailed and deep study of one case of success
implementing Universal Design. This study will show all the process and challenges faced by
the group responsible for the project. It will point all the principles of Universal Design in
practice.

Conclusion
Universal Design isn`t just a new trend. Its to improve the original design concept
making it more inclusive and dont substitute the design of products targeted at specific
markets.

Anonymous, Case studies and examples [online] 2014, at

http://www.universaldesign.ie/exploreampdiscover/casestudiesandexamples (accessed: 28 September 2014)

Bibliography
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