How Inclusive Design is Impacting the Future of Work

Younger generations of workers have fully embraced the "work from anywhere" concept, prompting employers to rethink conventional methods. With the rise of remote and hybrid work models, flexible and adaptive workspaces have become more critical than ever. The pandemic accelerated the shift towards more distributed teams, and organizations are now adjusting their real estate strategies to support this new reality. Inclusive design plays a crucial role in creating environments that foster collaboration, productivity and a sense of belonging, whether employees work from home, in the office or in a hybrid setup.

Inclusive design, which extends beyond the traditional idea of universal design, emphasizes the importance of involving a diverse group of people in the design process to create solutions that cater to a broad range of needs and experiences. This approach is not only about accommodating physical differences but also considering the varied socio-economic backgrounds, gender identities and other factors that influence how individuals interact with their environments.

By creating spaces that cater to diverse needs, companies can enhance employee well-being, foster psychological safety and increase productivity. Doing so is socially responsible and makes good business sense, as it helps attract and retain top talent in a competitive labor market.

In this episode of The New Mainstream podcast, Ryan Anderson, Vice President of Global Research and Insights at MillerKnoll, shares insights into the practical applications of inclusive design and its role in shaping the future workplace.

About Ryan Anderson:

Ryan Anderson serves as Vice President of Global Research and Insights at MillerKnoll. His team leads MillerKnoll’s research, shares insights publicly across the world, and provides workplace strategy and application design services to MillerKnoll customers. With thirty years of industry experience, Ryan’s work has centered on how the places we inhabit can be better designed to support healthy, inclusive, and productive communities. Ryan hosts MillerKnoll’s About Place podcast on the future of the workplace and regularly speaks at public events about MillerKnoll’s historical and current research. Ryan is a contributor to Forbes, and has been featured in a wide variety of additional publications such as The Wall Street Journal, NPR, the BBC, Fortune, Bloomberg, and beyond.