This document discusses overcoming bias in design. It provides examples of cognitive biases and systemic biases that can negatively impact design. It emphasizes practicing empathy, identifying assumptions, listening to understand different perspectives, and doing the work to overcome biases. The goal is designing for all people by accounting for diverse experiences and avoiding reinforcing historical inequities.

1. O V E R C O M I N G B I A S I N
D E S I G N
H E AT H E R O N E I L L
P I X E L S F O R H U M A N S
@pixelsforhumans

5. A P P L E H E A LT H F E AT U R E L I S T
• Vitals
• Exercise
• Meals/Snacks
• Sleep
• Medication
• Doctor visits/diagnoses
• Etc…
• Period Tracker

6. I N T E N T I S N O T M A G I C
http://www.shakesville.com/2011/12/harmful-
communication-part-one-intent.html

7. B I A S
Noun.
1. An inclination towards one
group over another group,
often in an unfair way.

8. Do I contradict myself?
Very well, then I contradict
myself.
I am large, I contain multitudes
- Walt Whitman
Me too,
Walt.

9. meanawkward
tall
fast
talking
slow
lazy
unkind
not
smart
lost
liar
dull

10. 0
3000000
6000000
9000000
12000000
Input Processed
11 millon
40

11. https://xkcd.com/610/

12. C O G N I T I V E B I A S

13. https://xkcd.com/1731/

15. - K AT E M E Y E R , N E L S O N N O R M A N G R O U P
Flat interfaces often use weak signifiers…[which]
require more user effort than strong ones.
https://www.nngroup.com/articles/flat-ui-less-attention-cause-uncertainty/

17. S Y S T E M I C B I A S

20. # N O TA L L …

21. N U M B E R S D O N ’ T L I E

22. Algorithm = Data + Success Metric(s)

24. G A R B A G E I N
G A R B A G E O U T

25. - C AT H Y O ’ N E I L , W E A P O N S O F M AT H D E S T R U C T I O N
Algorithms don't make life more fair, they just
automate the status quo.
https://www.ted.com/talks/cathy_o_neil_the_era_of_blind_faith_in_big_data_must_end

28. “Sometimes unpleasant portrayals of sensitive
subject matter online can affect what image
search results appear for a given query.
These results don’t reflect Google’s own opinions
or beliefs — as a company, we strongly value a
diversity of perspectives, ideas and cultures.”
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/three-black-teenagers-
google-racism_uk_575811f5e4b014b4f2530bb5

29. D O N ’ T B E E V I L

30. D O N ’ T B E E V I L
Stick our heads in the sand while we
reinforce the historical evils of society.

31. D O N ’ T B E E V I L
Stick our heads in the sand while we
reinforce the historical evils of society.

35. You are less right than you think.
You don’t know what you don’t know.

36. O V E R C O M I N G
B I A S

41. Social
Cognitive
E M PAT H Y
Emotional
feelings
reactions
reasonings
mental models contexts
structural biases

42. H O W C O U L D T H I S
C A U S E H A R M ?
A N D
W H O D O E S T H I S H E L P ?

53. G O O G L E D U P L E X

60. J U S T
L I S T E N

62. N O , S R S LY
L I S T E N

64. I am…

65. L I S T Y O U R
A S S U M P T I O N S

66. A U D I E N C E A S S U M P T I O N S
• Mostly
• white
• able-bodied
• cisgender
• straight
• male
• UX designers
• Care about people
• If marginalized, will feel heard and not othered.

67. P R A C T I C E
A P O L O G I Z I N G
You’re going to get stuff wrong.

68. D O T H E W O R K .

70. http://newsletter.pixelsforhumans.com