Defined by Design: The Surprising Power of Hidden Gender, Age, and Body Bias in Everyday Products and Places

Feeling tired? Sick? Achy? You may be surprised to learn that the poor design of everyday objects and places around you may be to blame. From the bed you sleep on to the desk you sit at to the clothes you wear, poor design surrounds and threatens you. A too-high bed threatens seniors and small children, who might roll out and hurt themselves during the night. Sitting at a desk all day contributes to back, neck, and even breathing problems. Large wallets and high heels lead to high medical bills across the country. However, all hope is not lost: designers are working to fix these problems, and some already have solutions.

This is a fascinating read. Kathryn H. Anthony is unique for her empathy and decades-long advocacy for those who are negatively impacted by poor design. The first ten chapters mostly describe the issues caused by poor design, ending with a few counterexamples. The overall mood of this book can be disheartening – there is so much that needs to change! Will it ever happen? – but Anthony stays hopeful that, if we are finally aware of what needs to happen, we can take action and stop being Defined By Design.