Why the future of systems design needs to think differently.
In most workplaces, teams design systems for the so-called average user. However, in reality, no such person exists. Every login represents a real individual with a mind that works in its own way. Some people thrive with fast-moving dashboards, while others need calm, clarity, and space to think. Yet, many digital systems still assume a one-size-fits-all brain. When that happens, people don’t fail the system — the system fails them.
The Invisible Digital Environment We All Live In
The modern workplace is as much digital as physical. For many people, systems shape most of the workday—CRMs, task boards, databases, chat tools, and timesheets. When those tools feel cluttered, inconsistent, or confusing, they don’t just frustrate people: they quietly exclude them.
This matters deeply because neurodivergence isn’t rare and in the UK, estimates suggest that around 1 in 7 people are neurodivergent (more than 15 %)
That suggests in a team of 10, one or two people likely experience the digital environment differently and may struggle silently.
For neurodivergent individuals – autistic, ADHD, dyslexic, dyspraxic, or others everyday digital friction magnifies effort. Cognitive load increases, working memory gets taxed, and stress builds. When software is confusing, ambiguous, or oversaturated with options, the result isn’t just a slower workflow, it’s mental fatigue.
But here’s a truth: systems that support neurodivergent users tend to be better for everyone. Design built for clarity and consistency isn’t niche — it’s a strong design.
The Barriers We Don’t Always See
The barriers built into systems are often invisible to those who don’t face them daily. Some of the hidden habits we accept as ‘normal’ become obstacles for others.
- Interfaces that constantly shift layout or hide features create overwhelm.
- Multiple layers of menus and convoluted navigation force the brain to remember context.
- Dashboards that overload visual space with jargon, colours, and icons distract rather than inform.
- Tasks split across several screens or tools demand mental juggling.
What seems like an ‘annoying extra click’ for one person can become a gradual drain for another. Over time, small friction points accumulate and the people most deeply affected usually adapt silently.
Why Inclusive Design is Good Business
Neurodiversity isn’t a niche issue; it’s a competitive advantage. With 15–20 % of people likely to be neurodivergent, nearly every organisation already includes these minds, whether or not systems reflect it.
Yet many organisations treat inclusion only as HR or accommodations. Digital design is rarely part of that conversation and despite being central to how people do their work.
When systems are inclusive, they support clarity, reduce error, and increase confidence. You get smoother workflows, fewer questions to support teams, less frustration, and improved retention. Inclusive design isn’t ‘extra’- it’s foundational quality.
Designing for Difference
Inclusion starts not with large overhauls, but with small decisions.
Good inclusive design gives structure and choice:
- Consistent layouts so users know where to expect elements.
- Simple navigation that reduces the need to remember context.
- Customisable views (e.g. compact mode, low-contrast mode) so users can choose what works best for them.
- Clear language and visual hierarchy – labels, whitespace, predictable feedback.
- Minimal disruption – avoid surprise changes, abrupt animations, or hidden elements.
These aren’t special features. They’re signs of systems built for human beings, not just engineers.
How to Begin Building More Inclusive Systems
You don’t need to rebuild your entire digital world at once. Inclusion begins with observation and listening.
Start by watching, not judging how your team interacts with current tools. Where do people hesitate? Which features get ignored?
Ask: what feels easy, and what feels draining?
Use that understanding to simplify.
Remove redundant steps.
Instead, align your systems so they create one coherent experience rather than a disjointed jigsaw of apps.
At the same time, invite people into the process. In particular, if you work with neurodivergent colleagues or users, include them in design conversations, because their feedback often reveals insights no usability lab ever captures.
How Anthill Builds for Every Mind
At Anthill, inclusion isn’t a checkbox, it’s central. Our systems are born from empathy.
Each project begins with a Discovery Session focused on people, not features – how they think, how they work, and where friction hides.
A Clearer Digital Future
As more organisations understand that inclusion must be digital, the next frontier is rethinking how systems support every brain. The most inclusive workplaces will no longer be the ones that accommodate people, they’ll be the ones that build from the ground up for difference.
Because when digital tools are built for clarity, they serve every mind more justly and better.
Inclusive systems don’t feel like extra layers.
They feel like freedom.
Ready to design systems that include every mind?
