Could inclusiveness be the default?

At weareSuper, it is.

Inclusiveness should not have to be an extraordinary effort.

What if inclusiveness is an integral part of an ordinary process?

To many, inclusiveness seems abstract and idealistic. But it does not have to be. Using the weareSuper framework, let us break this down into digestible and achievable portions.

We first establish the needs of our company in the capacity of a creative agency and a retail brand. The aim is to build an ecosystem that has long-lasting impact, which requires us to first prioritise the sustainability of the business. This step is an important reminder that inclusiveness can operate within existing systems – it is neither a limitation nor a compromise. 

Following that, we identify the skills the individual has that align with the needs of our company. Taking one of our long-term trainees as an example, his ability to execute precise tasks for prolonged periods of time with a high level of consistency fits nicely into our design process – expanding our assets library and establishing unique yet consistent patterns for merchandise collections.

Through working with him and the coaches who know him best, we learn his communication styles and needs. This allows us to implement improved forms of communication, in more explicit and pictorial ways. Our design sessions are also refined to include more structured references. This achieves a process that plays to the strength of the individual while developing formats that give our design process valuable structures and personality.

This is one example amongst many in the weareSuper space and in the broader Singapore context. It illustrates the way this approach can be sliced into digestible layers – layers that are likely familiar to any team of unique individuals.

Ultimately, inclusiveness expands our capacity to work with different individuals and empowers us to discover refreshing and innovative formats of designing and creating. 

Perhaps inclusiveness is best achieved by incorporating it as a method, rather than establishing it as a goal post.