The First Step? Put Aside Assumptions.

Designing for blind users—or any user—starts with listening, not assuming. Too often, design is based on what we think people need rather than what they actually experience. Real insight comes from conversations, observations, and immersing ourselves in their perspective. By stepping back and understanding how blind individuals interact with their environment, we uncover challenges and needs that aren’t always obvious, even new ways of seeing the world

What Are Pain Points in Design?

Pain points are fundamental to function and comfort. It refers to users' challenges, frustrations, or obstacles while interacting with a product. These issues can affect the functionality, usability, and emotional experience, making a product difficult to use.

Types of Pain Points & Examples:

🔹 Physical Discomfort – A knife handle that is too bulky or slippery, making it hard to control.

🔹 Inefficiency – A cutting board that requires, you to constantly clear up space, or the food will fall off.

🔹 Safety Concerns – Knifes haphazardly placed on a busy kitchen table, increasing the risk of injury.

🔹 Complexity & Confusion – A product that requires specialized training or complicated assembly, leading to confusion and frustration.

Pain points may seem small, but they add up over time, impacting the usability of the product.

Understanding Pain Points Through Experience

To truly bridge this gap, I realized the importance of eliminating my assumption. I spent time alongside visually impaired individuals in their homes, sharing meals and watching how they navigate their kitchens. I also participated by wearing a blindfold and using my other senses to highlight these pain points.

Everyday actions gave me a deep, personal perspective on how design impacts their daily interactions. Something I try to experience myself with design students through various workshops is how some everyday actions are experienced differently by individuals. Going out of school and conducting interviews to test prototypes while embracing reality provides a much deeper understanding of how and when to consider pain points when designing inclusively.

Better Accessibility = Better Design for Everyone

When we solve these challenges, we don’t just make products more accessible—we make them better for everyone. Good design goes beyond visual aesthetics; it’s about creating something that feels beautiful, comfortable, and happy to use. Thoughtful design builds confidence, independence, and a stronger connection between people and the objects they use every day.