Revolutionizing user experiences: The power of inclusive design principles

Embarking on a purpose-driven journey, the Cornerstone Product Experience Design team is weaving a narrative that transcends mere aesthetics. The focus extends far beyond visual allure, delving deep into the art of continuously crafting solutions that resonate with our people's unique needs. To deliver meaningful and inclusive experiences, the Product Design team has embraced a set of guiding lights — Simple, Scalable, Contextual, Inclusive and Data-Informed (SSCIDI) design principles.

These principles aren't just words on paper — they're the heartbeat of the Cornerstone product approach, pulsating through every project and echoing through every experience we've proudly delivered this year. From the award-winning Opportunity Marketplace to our Talent Management experiences, including learning, performance, and recruiting to skills development, content and mobility, our commitment to SSCIDI now has left an indelible mark. This process is a journey as we focus on continuously enhancing both usability and experiences in our products.

Discover how the Cornerstone Product Design team is meticulously approaching these design principles now to create products and craft experiences that transcend the ordinary, bridging comprehension gaps and embracing inclusivity that possesses an unmistakable global need.

Simplicity is not just a design choice — it's a philosophy. By prioritizing simplicity, our products become more intuitive, reducing cognitive load and enhancing user experiences. We distill complex functionalities into elegant solutions, making interactions seamless and delightful for everyone, regardless of their abilities. Our design partnership program allows us to deeply connect with our people and map their journeys, finding the simplest and most elegant path.

Designing for scalability ensures that our products remain adaptable and efficient as they evolve. Robust and capable of accommodating increased usage, expanding user bases, and integrating new features, scalable designs never compromise usability, making our products accessible to a broader audience.

Understanding the context in which people engage with a product is fundamental. Our contextual design tailors experiences to specific situations, ensuring relevance and effectiveness. By acknowledging diverse environments and behaviors, we create products that better cater to unique needs and foster inclusivity.

Inclusivity is at the core of human-centered design. It considers users of all abilities, backgrounds, and circumstances. Designing with inclusivity fosters equitable access, empowering every user to engage meaningfully with the product. To manifest our commitment to inclusivity, we involve people from diverse demographics at every product development phase.

Leveraging data guides our design decisions. Data-driven insights offer a deeper understanding of user behaviors, preferences and pain points. Informed decisions refine and optimize products, ensuring they remain aligned with users' evolving needs.

At the forefront of our design philosophy are not just products but the individuals who use them. The true magic of our principles unfolds when people of diverse abilities actively participate in the design journey. Our commitment to inclusivity is more than a promise — it's a practice ingrained in our DNA, with people from varied demographics contributing at every crucial phase of the product development lifecycle. This ensures that testing and validation aren't mere checkpoints but iterative processes, allowing our products to evolve dynamically in response to user feedback and experiences.

Inclusive design, for us at Cornerstone, surpasses mere compliance. It's a tapestry woven with threads of human empathy and understanding. An inclusive product doesn't just accommodate people with different abilities — it elevates the experience for everyone. This continued approach fosters a profound sense of belonging, broadens our user base and sows the seeds of brand loyalty. Our Chief Product Officer Karthik Suri has rightfully stated, “We are neither satisfied nor done, but are proud of the progress and like the validation from our customers.”

Our product experiences, grounded in the human-centered design principles of SSCIDI (Simple, Scalable, Contextual, Inclusive and Data-Informed), are crafted to be accessible and cater to the diverse needs of the global populace. By embracing inclusive design, your organization can reap the rewards of positive user experiences and witness tangible impacts on your bottom line. Inclusive design prompts us to reflect on the transformative power of equity and prosperity within the digital experience ecosystem.

Discover more about how you can leverage the Cornerstone Human-Centered Design Principles to inclusively reshape your people experiences and the landscape of your digital legacy.