Inclusive UX Design: How to Better Design for Left-Handed Users
By
[email protected] (Vitaly Friedman)
10mo ago· 5 min readenInsight
100/100
Golden Brown
Bagelometer↗
Pure flour-power. Hearty enough to carry you through lunch.
Score100TypeanalysisSentimentpositive
Summary
This article highlights how most digital and physical products are designed for right-handed people, neglecting the ~10% of the population who are left-handed. It argues that "average" users are a statistical myth and that designers must be more inclusive. The article provides practical UX design patterns and considerations for left-handed users, covering interface layout, gesture design, navigation placement, and interaction patterns that work equally well for both left and right-handed people.
Key quotes
· 4 pulledRoughly 10% of people are left-handed. Yet most products — digital and physical — aren't designed with it in mind.
Many products — digital and physical — are focused on 'average' users — a statistical representation of the user base, which often overlooks or dismisses anything that deviates from that average.
But people are never edge cases, and 'average' users don't really exist.
We must be deliberate and intentional to ensure our designs work for everyone, not just the majority.
Today, roughly 10% of people are left-handed. Yet most products — digital and physical — aren’t designed with it in mind. Let’s change that. More design patterns in Smart Interface Design Patterns, a **friendly video course on UX** and design patterns by
