A modular educational system materializes through six precisely fabricated rectangular cards, each measuring approximately four by six inches, their physical presence grounded in robust charcoal-gray…

An overhead perspective captures two individuals engaged in collaborative design exploration across a pristine white work surface, their bodies forming a compositional diagonal from upper frame to…

An overhead view reveals a meticulously orchestrated flat-lay composition presenting an educational design toolkit arrayed across a neutral white surface, with crisp natural light casting precise…

A layered composition unfolds across a pristine white ground where multiple rectangular cards establish a dynamic asymmetrical arrangement, their angled placement creating strong diagonal vectors…

Bronze Education · 2026

Designable Universal Design Toolkit

by Bruno Oro

Bronze A' Design Award 2026 in Education
CLIENT: Designable
Estimated Number of Design Views: 7,185
Verification code 3C3A70A969 · Verify this award

Visit Site View at A' Design Award Press Release

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About Designable Universal Design Toolkit

Designable is an educational toolkit created for design students. The toolkit contains 97 method cards that encourage inclusive and empathy driven thinking. Each card offers a method, a prompt, or a scenario that simulates user experiences, including those of people with disabilities. The cards measure 80 by 150 millimeters and are printed on 350 gsm uncoated cardstock for tactile use. A custom storage box is 3D printed in PLA with internal dividers. A digital version is published as an accessible PDF file. The cards can be used alone or in teams during any design phase.

About the Bronze A' Design Award

Designable Universal Design Toolkit is a Bronze A' Design Award winner, a highly prestigious recognition granted to outstanding designs distinguished by creativity, ingenuity, and astuteness. Bronze winners are amply skillful and strikingly creative artifacts that authenticate the vast experience, imagination, and resourcefulness of their designers. Designable Universal Design Toolkit is expected to be a highly regarded, admired, and cherished object that is notably professional and innovative. This Bronze A' Design Award-winning design incorporates best practices in art, science, design, and technology, and is excellent for its attention to detail. Designable Universal Design Toolkit splendidly satisfies needs, touches desires, charms feelings, and appeals to curiosity.

Press Kit

Unique Properties: An educational toolkit composed of 97 method cards designed to foster inclusive, empathy-driven thinking in design students. The cards simulate user experiences, particularly of people with disabilities, guiding reflection and design decisions. Developed with healthcare and industry partners, the toolkit uniquely bridges participatory research, pedagogy, and inclusive design methodology.
Dimensions & Packaging: Each card measures 80 mm (width) × 150 mm (height) × 3 mm (thickness), printed on 350gsm uncoated cardstock for durability and tactile usability. The full set of 96 cards is housed in a custom storage box 3D-printed in PLA with internal dividers for organization.
Tags: Inclusive Design, Empathy Methods, Design Education, Participatory Design, Design Toolkit, Accessibility, User-Centered Design, Disability Inclusion, Universal Design, Educational Tools
Production Technology: The toolkit was developed through iterative design methods including stakeholder interviews, co-design workshops, and classroom testing. Visual assets were created using Figma, Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign. Prototypes were printed on 350gsm uncoated cardstock for tactile usability. Digital versions were published as accessible PDFs to ensure open access and scalability.
Design Challenge: The greatest challenge was translating complex, real-world experiences of disability into accessible, reflective tools without oversimplifying or stereotyping. Balancing academic rigor, ethical sensitivity, and design clarity required extensive iteration. Time and resource limits also delayed planned app development and animations, despite strong interest and visual readiness.
Research: This design-led research aimed to embed inclusive thinking in design education. Using mixed methods, we developed and tested 97 empathy method cards through classroom pilots. Data was collected via student surveys and reflections. Participants were undergraduate design students working with real-world partners. Results showed increased empathy, design confidence, and awareness of user diversity, impacting how students approach inclusive design in practice.
Inspiration: This project was inspired by the need to address the lack of empathy and inclusive thinking in early design education. Drawing from research in participatory design, disability studies, and inclusive pedagogy, the toolkit was developed to help students engage with marginalized users’ experiences and design more responsibly. Collaborations with healthcare providers and industry partners further shaped its practical and ethical foundations.
Project Duration: The project began in January 2024 and was completed in December 2024 at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, United States. It was developed as part of an academic research initiative focused on inclusive design and was piloted in studio-based courses in collaboration with external partners. The project was later disseminated through academic presentations and open-access publication.
Operation Flow: Users select cards based on project needs or curiosity, each offering a method, prompt, or scenario that encourages reflection and inclusive thinking. Cards can be used individually or in teams during different design phases. Their tactile format invites physical engagement, while the digital version supports easy access. The structured yet flexible flow helps users uncover blind spots and design with greater empathy and awareness.
Image Credits: Bruno Oro, Subinay Malhotra