Global Design
Global Design is an introductory resource of best practices for creating cross-cultural designs and building international web products.
As of 2022, there are around 5 billion internet users around the world, and the cross-cultural aspect of design is more relevant than ever. However, there are not many written guides for designing products that span multiple countries and continents - this site hopes to fill that void.
This site is a work in progress. If you are interested in helping to build this resource, please reach out here (email).
Principles
Here are some principles to focus on when designing global web products.
Intentionality
Designers must be very intentional about the approach that they take to design for their specific international audience and know whether their design is trying to either internationalize or localize.
Understanding
It is essential for designers to be objective about their assumptions and biases. Practice high levels of user empathy to create designs that are loved by users from various backgrounds.
Detail-Oriented
Effectively designing international products means being meticulous with every aspect of the design to make sure the final product has great usability and user experience across the user groups.
Continuity
Culture and user preferences are continuously evolving. Adopt a design process cycle that allows for efficient user testing and user research so that designs can be refined regularly.
Get Started
This guide is structured into three sections - User Research, Language, and Culture - highlighting three aspects of global design. Here’s some information to get you started on learning more about designing cross-cultural and international products.
Goals and Focus
Using your objectives to determine the best course of action.
Images and Icons
Optimize images and icons for the purposes of internationalization or localization.
Resources
Here's some helpful links to get you started on your design journey!