Tag: Schittenkopf

Lately I listened to the Dive Club episode with Emily Campbell. Emily is known for Shape of AI, a collection of design patterns for AI products, and her experience gave me a clearer understanding of what makes AI UX both exciting and challenging. While I am really against writing my Thesis about anything involving AI as I am sick and tired of it, this episode helped me reflect on what skills matter in the future of design. Some key insights that stayed with me in no particular order.

Trust as a design goal
Emily talks about how AI systems often behave in an “agentic” way – meaning they make decisions, give suggestions, or perform tasks on their own. Because of this, users can feel uncertain or even anxious. She explains that trust becomes a central design element.
Designers need to focus on transparency: showing what the AI is doing, why it is doing it, and how users can stay in control. I found this helpful because it connects with classic interaction design, but adds a new layer of responsibility.

The rise of AI UX patterns
One of the parts I enjoyed most was the discussion about AI pattern libraries. Emily explains how patterns can support designers who work with unpredictable systems. These patterns help structure prompts, guide outputs, and define how the system communicates.
Creating or analysing AI UX patterns could help designers build safer, clearer interfaces. It suggests that AI UX is becoming mature enough to have shared vocabulary and best practices.

What strong AI UX designers look like
Emily also describes the qualities she looks for in people joining AI design teams. Beyond visual design skills, she values curiosity, comfort with uncertainty, and strong empathy. Good AI designers should understand how systems behave and anticipate user worries or confusion.
I found this inspiring because it shows how the role is evolving. AI UX is not only about screens; it is also about system thinking and ethics.

Whats in it for me

This episode helped me to rethink areas of my research. I now see the importance of studying the relationship between trust, transparency, and pattern-based design. AI systems challenge traditional usability rules, but they also create opportunities to design new interaction models.
This could support safer and more predictable experiences – and while I don’t really want to have my thesis ai related, It helped me broaden my field of Idas and open up my mind.

Listening to Emily Campbell made me realise that AI UX is not a small branch of design – it is probably becoming a core part of how digital products work. The future of interaction design will require us to understand machine behaviour as much as human behaviour.

Link to the Podcast Episode

After finishing Design Against Design, I read Ian Lynam’s War With Myself, and for me it felt like a continuation of the same kind of reflection. It was again a strong reminder of how closely design is connected to the systems around us. Lynam does not only talk about design as a practical activity. He also looks deeply into the cultural and historical forces that influence it. He explains how design still carries traces of empire, violence, and inherited aesthetics, even when we do not want to see them. What we often call “good design” can in fact be part of narratives of power and exclusion.

Similar to Lo, Lynam points out the uncomfortable truth that design is never neutral or only visual. Every decision — a typeface, a layout, or a digital system — belongs to a larger cultural structure. It can repeat old hierarchies, even when we believe we are designing something modern or progressive. The struggle he describes happens both inside and outside the designer. It is the designer questioning their own education, habits, and biases. It is the realization that our work can unintentionally support cultural dominance or aesthetic violence simply by following what we have learned to see as “normal.”

For Lynam, meaningful design is not about showing cultural references or using the language of critique on the surface. Instead, it means asking which histories we continue, whose aesthetics we center, and which voices are missing. He argues that real responsibility in design does not come from performative actions or quick activist gestures. It comes from facing the uncomfortable history of the discipline itself. According to him, design becomes more ethical only when we accept both its problematic sides and its potential — not as a tool for branding or personal style, but as a way to question, disrupt, and rethink how culture is represented.

Lynam’s ideas also raise important questions for digital work. When we look at his arguments through the lens of web design, they become even more relevant, because digital interfaces shape everyday life at a massive scale. To better understand how his thinking can influence our own practice, the following four key learnings show how the themes from War With Myself translate directly into web design.

Design is shaped by history and culture, not only by aesthetics

Lynam shows that design is never created in isolation. It always carries influences from history, politics, and culture — including difficult topics such as colonialism and violence. This means designers must understand the past to avoid repeating harmful patterns in the present.

„Good design“ can still support systems of power

The book explains that even professional, clean, or widely accepted design can reinforce existing hierarchies. Without critical thinking, designers can easily reproduce ideas that exclude or silence certain groups, even if this is not their intention.

Designers must question their own training and assumptions

A central theme is the inner conflict of the designer. Lynam encourages us to reflect on what we learned in school, what we consider “normal,” and where our biases come from. This self-reflection is necessary to understand how our practice might contribute to cultural dominance.

Ethical design requires confronting uncomfortable truths

Lynam argues that real responsibility does not come from surface-level activism or aesthetic gestures. Instead, ethical design means engaging with the uncomfortable history of the discipline, asking critical questions, and being willing to rethink how we represent culture through our work.

Relation to web design practice

For web design, Lynam’s ideas are especially meaningful because digital interfaces have a strong influence on how people see and interact with the world. 

Websites and apps often follow established patterns that look neutral but actually come from specific cultural and historical traditions. This means that web designers also have a responsibility to question their choices and understand the systems they are part of. Whether it is the structure of a navigation menu, the use of certain interaction patterns, or the way content is presented, every decision carries values and assumptions. By looking at web design through Lynam’s perspective, it becomes clear that ethical and thoughtful digital design requires more than good visuals — it requires awareness, critical reflection, and a willingness to challenge what is considered “normal” in the digital space.

Lynam, I. (2024) War With Myself: Essays on Design, Culture & Violence. Set Margins Publications.

AI (Perplexity and ChatGPT as well as DeepL) was used to check spelling and grammar and better clarity.

I recently read the book Design Against Design by Kevin Yuen Kit Lo. It was a really good read and I learned a lot about design and the power it holds. Tho a lot of points made are obvious, most of the time we Designers dont think about them that much. Its important to hear them again and again to remember what power design holds.

In the book, Lo writes about how graphic design often ends up reinforcing the very system it claims to critique. He writes about the tension between wanting to work in solidarity with social movements while operating within an industry built on commodification. The designer, he says, has to confront the reality that every aesthetic choice sits inside a political and economic structure. True resistance is less about producing “radical-looking” visuals and more about participating in relationships, communities, and struggles that exist outside of commercial design. For him, design becomes meaningful only when it serves collective goals rather than brand visibility or personal authorship.

After finishing the book and thinking about topics for my thesis I sat down again and tried to distill my key learnings from the book. Here are six points I found to be very helpful for myself.

Design is never neutral

Lo insists that graphic design always takes a position because it mediates language, visibility, and voice, even when it claims to be “just” functional. 

“Socially engaged” work is structurally constrained

The book shows how client relationships, funding models, and institutional contexts limit how radical a design practice can be, even when it works with progressive causes. 

Dissident practice is about relationships, not just aesthetics

Lo frames dissident graphic practice as a way of working with movements over time: building trust, sharing risks, and recognizing the designer as one collaborator among many rather than a neutral expert. 

Materiality and production matter politically

The book links politics to the material conditions of design: how things are printed, circulated, and produced, and how those choices intersect with labor, scarcity, and access. 

Autonomy is partial and negotiated

Lo is critical of romantic ideas of the fully autonomous radical designer; instead, he describes autonomy as something limited, negotiated inside real economic and institutional constraints. 

Formal experimentation can be tied to struggle

The book connects typographic and layout experimentation to political and emotional conditions: dissonance, urgency, refusal, solidarity, and care. 

Relation to web design practice

As Im very much into web design and as it looks right now – this will also be the outline topic for my thesis, I wanted to connect these learnings, coming mainly from a graphic design stand point, to web design.

Design Against Design encourages treating the website not just as an interface but as an arena where power, labor, and community are negotiated through form. It invites designers to question supposedly “standard” patterns—dark patterns, extractive tracking, engagement‑at‑all‑costs—and to explore dissident alternatives that foreground accessibility, mutual aid, and situated narratives, even when that means resisting established best practices or business metrics.

Lo, K.Y.K. (2024) Design against design: cause and consequence of a dissident graphic practice. Eindhoven: Set Margins.

AI was used to check spelling and grammar and better clarity.

At the Usability Congress in Graz, I attended a talk by Alipe von Bernhaupt about accessible usability for neurodivergent people. It really changed the way I think about inclusion and design — not only as something nice to do, but as something essential for both people and business.

Understanding Neurodiversity

Up to one in five people is neurodivergent. That means about 20% of users experience the world and our designs in very different ways. If we don’t design with them in mind, we lose around 20% of potential users — and that’s a big part of the market.

Alipe also mentioned that at least half of adults are undiagnosed. So even if we think we’re not designing for neurodivergent people, we probably are — we just don’t know it. Another important point was how women with ADHD are treated worse than men. Men are often seen as just “energetic” or “a bit different,” while women are more likely to be judged or ignored.

What It Means for Design

Neurodivergence can look very different from person to person. Two people with ADHD, for example, can have completely different challenges. Neurodiversity is really about people whose brain structures work differently — there isn’t one single way to describe it.

The digital world can be especially hard for neurodivergent users. Changing layouts, flashing images, or strong colors can make using websites and apps stressful or confusing. And there’s another layer to this: energy. Many neurodivergent people experience very different energy levels from day to day. That means it’s harder to plan long-term or follow strict routines. When design expects constant focus and consistency, it can quickly become overwhelming.

What Really Stuck with Me

My biggest takeaway from the talk was a bit uncomfortable but very true: if we want companies and stakeholders to care, we have to speak their language. Talking about inclusion and empathy is important, but talking about losing 20% of market share gets their attention. Sometimes, it’s not the human argument that makes change happen — it’s the business one.

Conclusion

Designing for neurodiversity is not just about accessibility checklists. It’s about understanding that people experience the world differently — and that this difference is normal. When we include those needs in our design, we make better products for everyone. It’s not only the right thing to do, it’s also smart business.

Climbing boards have become a cornerstone of bouldering, shaping how climbers train, connect, and engage with the sport. Over the course of exploring various aspects—technology, inclusivity, sustainability, and human-centered design—it is evident that climbing boards are not just tools for physical training but catalysts for innovation and accessibility in bouldering. This conclusion synthesizes insights from the research, reflecting on how climbing boards are redefining the sport.

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Technology as a Driving Force

One of the recurring themes across the research is the transformative role of technology. Climbing boards like the MoonBoard, Kilter Board, and Tension Board have paved the way for integrating interactive features such as LED systems, apps, and global route-sharing platforms. These technologies have connected climbers worldwide, enabling standardized training and fostering a global community.

Further innovations like augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) have added layers of immersion and interactivity. AR projections simplify route guidance, while VR creates safe spaces to practice complex outdoor scenarios. These tools, combined with data-driven insights from wearables and AI, have transformed climbing boards into intelligent systems that personalize training and optimize performance.

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Inclusivity and Accessibility

Another critical aspect of climbing boards is their potential to make bouldering more inclusive. Adjustable wall angles, modular holds, and simplified digital interfaces ensure climbers of all abilities can participate. For example, human-centered design principles emphasize the importance of catering to diverse skill levels and physical needs, fostering a welcoming environment.

Community-driven features like collaborative route creation and multiplayer climbing modes further enhance inclusivity. By prioritizing accessibility, climbing boards have the power to break down barriers and bring people together, making the sport truly universal.

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Sustainability in Climbing Board Design

Sustainability is an essential consideration in modern climbing board development. The environmental impact of climbing gym equipment is mitigated through the use of recycled materials, energy-efficient systems, and modular designs. Boards that are durable and easy to maintain not only reduce waste but also extend their usability, ensuring long-term value for gyms and climbers alike.

For smaller gyms, creative solutions like projector-based route visualization and DIY board setups offer cost-effective alternatives that align with sustainable practices. These approaches ensure that even gyms with limited budgets can contribute to an eco-conscious bouldering ecosystem.

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The Role of Design in Enhancing the Experience

Effective communication through design is at the core of bouldering. Clear route identification, intuitive interfaces, and thoughtful visual hierarchies enhance the climbing experience by reducing cognitive overload and improving engagement. Features like color-coded holds, grading systems, and AR overlays ensure climbers can focus on solving problems rather than deciphering complex layouts.

Moreover, climbing boards have evolved into platforms for storytelling and connection. Imaginative routes, gamified challenges, and collaborative climbing modes demonstrate how design can transcend functionality, creating spaces that inspire creativity and build community.

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The Future of Climbing Boards

Looking ahead, climbing boards are poised to become even more sophisticated. From motion-tracking systems that offer real-time feedback to AI-driven personalization and temperature-controlled holds, the possibilities are endless. However, the challenge will be to balance innovation with accessibility and sustainability, ensuring that climbing boards remain inclusive and environmentally friendly.

At the same time, climbing boards have the potential to deepen their role as social hubs. Features that prioritize collaboration and shared experiences can transform bouldering from an individual pursuit into a communal activity, fostering stronger connections among climbers.

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Conclusion: A Convergence of Innovation, Inclusivity, and Sustainability

Climbing boards are far more than training tools—they are evolving ecosystems that reflect the future of bouldering. By integrating technology, prioritizing accessibility, and embracing sustainability, these boards have redefined how climbers train and interact with the sport. Whether it’s through AR-guided routes, modular DIY setups, or community-driven features, climbing boards have shown that innovation and simplicity can coexist.

As we move forward, the lessons from this research highlight the importance of designing for both performance and inclusivity. Climbing boards are not just shaping better climbers—they’re creating a better bouldering culture, one that is connected, creative, and mindful of its impact. The future of climbing is bright, and climbing boards will undoubtedly play a central role in guiding the sport to new heights.

Human-centered design prioritizes the user experience, emphasizing empathy, inclusivity, and adaptability. While current boards like MoonBoard and Kilter Board focus on standardizing training and competition, there’s an opportunity to create climbing boards that also nurture collaboration and community.

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Ideas for Enhancing Connection Through Design

1. Collaborative Climbing Modes

• Concept: Introduce multiplayer features where climbers can solve problems together in real-time.
• Example: A climbing board mode where two climbers alternate moves to complete a route, with the board lighting up the next hold for the other player.
• Benefit: Encourages teamwork, communication, and shared problem-solving.

2. Storytelling Through Routes

• Concept: Use climbing routes to tell a story or explore a theme, engaging climbers on a deeper emotional level.
• Example: AR or LED-enabled boards could create “adventure routes,” where holds light up sequentially to simulate climbing a famous rock face or solving a mystery through movement.
• Benefit: Makes training more imaginative and immersive, appealing to climbers beyond raw performance metrics.

3. Community-Led Route Creation

• Concept: Expand route creation tools to emphasize collaboration, where groups of climbers can design and vote on problems together.
• Example: A shared app interface where local climbers upload and rank new problems, with the top-voted routes projected on the board for everyone to try.
• Benefit: Strengthens local climbing communities by giving everyone a voice in shaping the board’s content.

4. Social Performance Metrics

• Concept: Shift performance tracking from individual competition to group progress.
• Example: A “team climbing” mode that logs collective achievements, such as the number of problems completed by a group in one session.
• Benefit: Builds camaraderie and makes training less about competition and more about shared goals.

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More then climibing

When we think of climbing boards, we often see them as tools for performance or training. But by incorporating human-centered design principles, they can become something greater—a space for connection, creativity, and shared experiences. By shifting the focus from individual achievement to collective engagement, climbing boards could redefine the way climbers train and interact, both with the wall and with each other.

Bouldering boards have long been the minimalist’s training tool—just a wall, a set of holds, and your willpower. But as technology evolves, so do the opportunities to improve this simple foundation. By focusing on creative enhancements, both technological and mechanical, we can elevate the bouldering experience while keeping the essentials intact.

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1. Adaptive Holds for Strength and Precision Training

• Concept: Imagine holds that can adapt in real time. Using built-in mechanisms, these holds could adjust their resistance or texture to simulate different rock types or difficulty levels.

• Example: A “crimp hold” that tightens its edges to make it progressively harder to grip, or a sloper that becomes slicker to build friction strength.

• Benefit: Allows climbers to train specific grip techniques without switching walls or holds.

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2. Dynamic Angle Adjustment

• Concept: A bouldering board that shifts its angle mid-session, creating varied terrain such as slabs, verticals, or overhangs. Controlled via an app or manual settings, the board adjusts to challenge different climbing styles.

• Example: Start with a 10-degree incline for warm-ups, then gradually increase to 45 degrees for power endurance training.

• Benefit: Simulates outdoor climbing conditions while using minimal space, making it ideal for home gyms or compact training areas.

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3. Augmented Reality (AR) Route Guidance

• Concept: AR projections display climbing routes directly on the wall, showing optimal beta (move sequences), hold usage, and crux highlights.

• Example: A beginner-friendly mode highlights the easiest path with animated overlays, while an advanced mode removes guidance for added challenge.

• Benefit: Eliminates the need for tape or LEDs while offering real-time feedback and dynamic problem-solving.

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4. Modular and Snap-In Hold Systems

• Concept: Holds that snap into place without requiring screws or tools. With modular designs, climbers can quickly reconfigure routes or swap out sections of the wall.

• Example: A pre-programmed route layout that climbers can install in under five minutes by snapping holds into pre-marked slots.

• Benefit: Encourages creativity and route experimentation without needing a full gym setup.

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5. AI-Driven Training Plans

• Concept: An integrated app tracks your performance and designs personalized training regimens. It evaluates metrics like grip strength, number of attempts, and time spent on problems.

• Example: After a climbing session, the app suggests routes that target your weaknesses, such as dynamic moves or static strength holds.

• Benefit: Helps climbers progress more efficiently by focusing on their unique needs.

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6. Resistance Bands and Dynamic Holds

• Concept: Resistance bands attach directly to the holds or the climber to simulate outdoor conditions like rope drag or steep overhang tension.

• Example: Bands connected to a foothold create extra pull, mimicking the effort needed to stay on a slippery route.

• Benefit: Adds an extra layer of difficulty, building strength and control.

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7. Temperature-Controlled Holds

• Concept: Holds that adjust their temperature to simulate climbing on warm sandstone or icy granite.

• Example: A setting for “cold weather climbing” trains your hands to maintain grip in cooler conditions.

• Benefit: Prepares climbers for seasonal outdoor adventures without leaving the gym.

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8. Real-Time Motion Tracking

• Concept: Built-in sensors and cameras track your body’s movement, offering immediate feedback on technique.

• Example: After a failed attempt, the system highlights errors like overreaching or poor foot placement.

• Benefit: Encourages technical improvement and reduces the risk of developing inefficient habits.

Bouldering, at its core, is a problem-solving activity as much as a physical one. Climbers need to interpret routes, assess holds, and navigate a path to the top—all within seconds of visual inspection. From a designer’s perspective, the challenge lies in conveying critical information effectively to climbers, whether they are indoors at a gym or outdoors on natural rock. The goal is to create an intuitive experience that enhances the climber’s ability to understand, engage with, and navigate boulders with ease.

Key Elements to Consider in Bouldering Design

1. Route Identification and Communication
   Climbers need to identify specific routes or “problems” quickly. A well-designed route should convey its intended difficulty and path without requiring excessive interpretation. Here’s how designers can achieve this:
   • Color Coding: Assigning colors to holds or tape for each route is a widely used method in climbing gyms. Bright, contrasting colors ensure visibility and prevent confusion with adjacent problems.
   • Grading Systems: Displaying a clear grade (e.g., V-scale or Fontainebleau) provides climbers with an immediate sense of the difficulty level. Using universally recognized symbols and minimal text prevents cognitive overload.
   • Hold Shapes and Textures: Designers can use shape and texture variations to signal difficulty. Rounded, slippery holds often signify advanced problems, while larger, textured holds suggest easier routes.

1. Visual Mapping and Flow
   For outdoor bouldering, climbers often rely on guidebooks or digital maps. Designing intuitive, user-friendly interfaces is crucial:
   • Topographic Markers: Including visual cues like arrows or diagrams on maps helps climbers understand the orientation and approach to a boulder.
   • Digital Enhancements: Mobile apps that use GPS to pinpoint boulder locations, overlay climbing routes, and provide augmented reality (AR) overlays can significantly improve accessibility.
   • Route Names and Descriptions: Context-rich descriptions with visual tags (e.g., start holds, crux sequences) help climbers mentally prepare for the problem.
2. Environmental Factors
   Outdoor bouldering introduces variables like lighting, weather, and terrain. Designers can minimize these challenges by integrating natural and artificial elements:
   • Markers for High-Traffic Areas: Durable, eco-friendly signs or painted symbols near popular boulders can reduce confusion while preserving the environment.
   • Visibility: In shaded or low-light areas, reflective or glow-in-the-dark markers could enhance visibility.

1. Human-Centered Safety and Feedback Design
   Safety is paramount in bouldering. Providing clear feedback on danger zones or fall risks allows climbers to make informed decisions:
   • Crash Pad Placement Guides: Visual indicators or AR overlays in outdoor apps can suggest optimal crash pad placement for high-risk sections.
   • Problem Exit Indicators: Including markers to indicate safe descent routes after topping out ensures climbers navigate down safely.
2. Educational Visuals and Signage
   Especially in gyms or beginner-friendly areas, informative signage can demystify bouldering concepts:
   • Technique Tips: Visual guides explaining body positioning, grip types, or efficient movement can support learning.
   • Community Guidelines: Clear, engaging signs about gym etiquette, grading explanations, and safety rules foster a welcoming and safe environment.

Design Beyond Aesthetics: Usability Meets Performance

In bouldering, the design isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about functionality and clarity. Whether creating climbing holds, maps, or signage, every element should enhance the climber’s ability to engage with the sport. By combining visual design principles, human-centered interaction, and scientific insights, designers can ensure bouldering becomes not only more accessible but also more enjoyable for climbers of all skill levels.

Bouldering is more than climbing—it’s an experience shaped by the synergy of environment, design, and human effort. Thoughtful design empowers climbers to focus on what they love most: solving problems and reaching new heights.

As climbing boards like MoonBoard, Kilter Board, and Tension Board become more prominent in gyms, the importance of interaction design in their development cannot be overstated. These boards blend physical climbing with advanced technology, creating a unique user experience that requires thoughtful design. Interaction design ensures that these systems remain intuitive, engaging, and accessible for climbers of all skill levels. This blog explores how merging technology with usability can revolutionize climbing training.

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Why Interaction Design Matters for Climbing Boards

Climbing boards are more than just tools; they are platforms for growth, learning, and community. Poorly designed interfaces or systems can hinder climbers’ progress, frustrate users, and reduce the overall value of the technology. Interaction design bridges the gap between the climber and the system, ensuring that every feature—from route visualization to feedback—is intuitive and user-friendly.

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Principles of Interaction Design in Climbing Boards

1. Visibility

Visibility ensures climbers can easily interpret and engage with the system. On climbing boards, this might include:

• Clear Hold Identification: LED lighting systems that highlight active holds with bright, distinct colors.
• Interface Design: Mobile apps with clean layouts that prioritize essential features like route selection, grading, and progress tracking.

2. Feedback

Interactive feedback helps climbers adjust and improve in real-time. Effective climbing boards provide:

• Immediate Responses: LEDs that light up when a hold is touched or AR projections that track movement.
• Performance Metrics: Apps that record attempts, successes, and time taken to complete problems, offering actionable insights.

3. Affordance

Designing affordance means ensuring climbers intuitively understand how to interact with the system. Examples include:

• Tactile Hold Design: Holds that clearly indicate their intended use (e.g., footholds vs. handholds) through texture and shape.
• Interactive Interfaces: Drag-and-drop route creation tools in apps that feel natural and easy to use.

4. Accessibility

Accessible design ensures climbers of all abilities can benefit from the technology. This involves:

• Customizable Difficulty: Apps that allow users to tailor problems to their skill level.
• Inclusivity in Design: Hold placements and route designs that accommodate climbers of various heights and abilities.

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Challenges in Interaction Design for Climbing Boards

1. Balancing Complexity with Simplicity: Advanced features, like AR overlays or detailed analytics, can overwhelm users if not designed carefully. Interaction designers must prioritize simplicity without sacrificing functionality.
2. Physical and Digital Integration: Ensuring seamless interaction between the physical board and its digital counterpart (e.g., apps or LED systems) is crucial for a cohesive experience.
3. Diverse User Needs: Climbing boards are used by a wide range of climbers, from beginners to experts. Designing systems that cater to all skill levels requires flexibility and foresight.

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The Future of Interaction Design in Climbing Boards

As technology advances, interaction design will play an even greater role in climbing boards. Future developments may include:

• AI-Powered Feedback: Systems that analyze climbing techniques and provide personalized advice.
• Enhanced AR Features: Projections that guide climbers through optimal movements or suggest alternative solutions.
• Gamification: Incorporating elements like achievements, leaderboards, and challenges to increase engagement and motivation.

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Conclusion

Interaction design is the key to unlocking the full potential of climbing boards. By focusing on visibility, feedback, affordance, and accessibility, designers can create systems that are not only functional but also enjoyable and engaging. As these technologies continue to evolve, thoughtful interaction design will ensure that climbing boards remain a powerful tool for training, community building, and personal growth.

For climbers, the wall is a canvas. For designers, it’s an opportunity to craft an experience that inspires and empowers—one hold at a time.

Bouldering has always been a sport of creativity, strength, and problem-solving. However, for it to truly thrive, it must be accessible to everyone. Inclusive design in climbing boards has the power to break down barriers, making the sport more welcoming to climbers of all abilities and backgrounds. By focusing on physical, cognitive, and community-based inclusivity, climbing boards can transform into tools that empower every climber to reach their potential.

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Addressing Physical Accessibility

Physical accessibility is essential to ensure climbers of varying abilities can participate fully in bouldering. Inclusive design principles for climbing boards can address this by:

• Designing Holds and Routes for All Abilities: Using a variety of hold shapes, sizes, and textures allows climbers with different grip strengths or mobility challenges to engage with problems. Holds can also include features that make them easier to identify or grasp for climbers with limited dexterity.
• Adjustable Board Angles: Boards like the Kilter Board or Tension Board often include adjustable angles, making it possible to modify the difficulty of routes. Gentle angles can accommodate beginners or climbers with reduced strength, while steeper angles challenge advanced users. Adjustable systems ensure that climbing boards remain versatile for a wide range of users.

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Cognitive Accessibility

Designing for cognitive accessibility ensures that climbers with learning differences or cognitive challenges can easily engage with climbing boards and their associated systems. This involves:

• Simplified and Clear Route Visuals: Overly complex route markings or color schemes can overwhelm some climbers. Clear, bold visuals—such as color-coded holds with distinct contrast—make it easier to identify and follow routes.
• Intuitive Digital Interfaces: Apps and digital systems associated with climbing boards must be user-friendly. Avoiding cluttered interfaces, using clear labels, and providing simple navigation paths ensures climbers can focus on the experience rather than struggling with technology.

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Community Involvement in Inclusive Design

Inclusive design cannot succeed without the input of the community it serves. Engaging climbers with diverse needs ensures that climbing boards meet real-world challenges. Here’s how:

• Feedback from Diverse Climbers: Regularly collecting feedback from climbers with disabilities, beginners, or other underrepresented groups can guide improvements in design. Focus groups, surveys, and user testing sessions can provide valuable insights into barriers and solutions.
• Highlighting Inclusive Gym Spaces: Gyms that have successfully implemented inclusive climbing boards can serve as models for others. For example, adaptive climbing programs that use adjustable boards or sensory-friendly environments showcase the power of thoughtful design.

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Conclusion

Inclusivity in climbing board design is not just a nice-to-have feature—it’s essential for the growth and sustainability of the sport. By addressing physical and cognitive accessibility and involving the community in the design process, climbing boards can become powerful tools for inclusivity. When everyone has the opportunity to engage with bouldering, the sport becomes richer, more diverse, and more impactful.

Let’s prioritize inclusivity as a core aspect of climbing board design, ensuring that bouldering remains a sport for everyone—regardless of ability, background, or experience. Together, we can create climbing spaces that inspire and empower climbers of all kinds.