Designing for Humans
I didn’t get into design to make things pretty.
I got into design to make things human.
Because for people like me., for people who live at the intersection of disability, neurodivergence, queerness, and chronic illness, the world wasn’t exactly built with us in mind.
So when I say design for humans, I mean all humans. Especially the ones who’ve been left out of the conversation.
What is Inclusive Design, Really?
Inclusive design isn’t a checkbox. It’s not “adding a rainbow” or translating a page into another language.
It’s a philosophy. A practice. A mindset.
Inclusive design is about:
Designing with, not just for
Creating experiences that adapt, instead of expecting people to
Honouring lived experience as valid data
Remembering that “accessibility” isn’t one-size-fits-all
It’s about designing brands, websites, and content that feel safe, seen, and usable for the people who’ve often had to fight just to exist in a space.
My Philosophy: People First, Always
I believe in designing for people who don’t fit the mould.
The neurodivergent entrepreneur who can’t process long blocks of text.
The chronically ill founder whose energy fluctuates every day.
The queer creator who’s tired of being reduced to tokenism.
The small business owner who doesn’t want to sound “professional” if that means losing their personality.
Design should never be about forcing yourself into a box. It should be about branding that fits you with all your complexity, emotion, softness, power, contradiction, and humanity.
But what does that look like in practice?
1. Flexible Design Systems
Instead of rigid templates, I create adaptable frameworks. So if you’re having a low-spoon day, your social media doesn’t fall apart. If your brain works better in visuals than words, your brand can reflect that.
💡 Example: One client with ADHD now uses 3 core Canva templates with pre-written captions they can pull from when executive function is low — all branded, all aligned, no stress.
2. Content Hierarchy that Respects Brain Diversity
Neurodivergent people often struggle with walls of text, confusing navigation, or websites that overwhelm the senses. I design for clarity, hierarchy, and choice. That means:
Bullet points and section headings
Audio or video alternatives
Calming colour palettes (unless boldness is your part of your vibe)
Sites that guide, not demand
💡 Example: A trauma-informed therapist’s site I designed includes colour-coded pathways for different types of clients, so users can choose the content and pace that feels right to them.
3. Brand Voice that Reflects Real Life
Your tone of voice doesn’t need to be polished and perfect to be professional. It needs to be honest. Whether you’re soft-spoken, sarcastic, poetic, or passionate - your voice matters. And it deserves to be part of your brand.
💡 Example: One chronically ill client’s tone of voice is intentionally gentle and validating. Their website literally says: “It’s okay to close this tab if you’re tired. Come back when you’re ready.”
Why It Matters
Because people are exhausted from pretending.
Exhausted from squeezing themselves into brands that weren’t built for them.
Exhausted from navigating websites that make them feel invisible.
Exhausted from following marketing formulas that don’t honour how their body or their brain works.
When you design for humans, you invite people to come as they are not as the world demands them to be.
That kind of brand? It’s unforgettable.
If you’ve ever felt like you were too much or not enough for the business world...
If you’ve ever felt unseen, unheard, or unwelcome in a brand space…
If you’ve ever wanted to build something real, raw, and human...
You're not alone. And you're exactly who I design for.
Let’s ditch the mould and build a brand that actually fits YOU!
Want to build an inclusive brand?
If you’re craving a brand that reflects your values, honours your needs, and speaks to your people — I’d love to support you.
💬 Book a free discovery call
