Samsung Wins Gold at IDEA 2025 for “Inclusive Essentials” — Redefining Accessibility in Home Appliances
For many people, using a new home appliance can be surprisingly tricky — from locating a tiny power button to figuring out how to clean the filter. For older adults and people with visual impairments, these small inconveniences can quickly turn into real obstacles.
To overcome these barriers, Samsung Electronics has adopted an accessibility-first design philosophy, ensuring that its home appliances are intuitive and inclusive for all users.
This commitment has now been recognized globally. At the 2025 International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA), Samsung received a Gold Award in the Concepts & Speculative Design category for its “Samsung Inclusive Essentials” concept — honored not only for design innovation but also for advancing usability and social inclusion.
Designing for Independence
Through Samsung Inclusive Essentials, Samsung aims to help every user operate their home appliances confidently and independently. The concept standardizes button shapes, colors, and layouts, while incorporating multiple senses — sight, sound, and touch — so that essential functions can be instantly recognized and easily used.
The award announcement coincides with International White Cane Safety Day (October 15), established by the World Blind Union to promote the rights of people with visual impairments. In recognition of the day, Samsung Newsroom spoke with Dahwe Park from the FX Design Group and Hyunbin Shin from the Design Innovation Group of Samsung’s Digital Appliances Business, who helped lead the award-winning project.
Q: What inspired the development of Samsung Inclusive Essentials?
Park: In recent years, appliance design has trended toward minimalism — touch panels instead of handles, digital interfaces instead of physical buttons. While sleek, these designs can be difficult for older adults or those with visual impairments to use. We wanted to break down those barriers and create appliances that everyone can operate with ease.
Shin: We reviewed the entire user journey, from installation to maintenance. For example, an identical “I”-shaped mark was used inconsistently — sometimes for pushing, other times for pulling — confusing users who rely on touch. We standardized symbols and forms across products, making them more intuitive and consistent
Q: How does this differ from traditional accessibility design?
Park: Traditional designs often add extra tools like Braille stickers or special attachments. But during user testing, many participants told us they didn’t want separate add-ons — they wanted to use appliances as they are, like anyone else. Our approach improves the core design itself, so accessibility is built in, not added on.
Shin: We applied a multimodal design approach that combines shape, texture, color, lighting, and sound. Buttons are now embossed and outlined, allowing users to identify them by touch. Consistent feedback across devices ensures that users can recognize and control functions more naturally.
Q: What feedback from users was most memorable?
Shin: We conducted user tests at a local welfare center for people with visual impairments. Many participants lived alone. One man who had lost his sight later in life said he struggled with losing independence. When he touched the embossed buttons, he said, “It may seem small, but it makes me feel respected and considered. Now I can use appliances on my own.” That comment stayed with all of us.
Park: Samsung Inclusive Essentials shows how thoughtful design can empower people with visual impairments to live independently. It supports autonomy, reduces reliance on caregivers, and helps ensure a dignified quality of life.
Q: Does this concept benefit users beyond those with low vision?
Park: Absolutely. The goal is universal usability. High-contrast colors help users with low vision — but they also make controls easier for everyone to find. Instead of just enlarging text or icons, we used visual and tactile cues to improve recognition for all users.
Shin: While people with visual impairments may seem like a small group, about 1 in every 210 South Koreans experiences visual challenges, and many more deal with reduced vision from aging or eye conditions. Our design isn’t only for people with disabilities — it’s for everyone, creating a more inclusive daily experience.
Q: What’s next for Samsung Inclusive Essentials?
Shin: This project began with visual accessibility, but our broader mission is to listen to all users who face challenges — whether due to disability, age, or environment. Inclusive Essentials goes beyond making products “usable by everyone.” It’s about enabling dignified, independent living for all.
Park: Inclusive design isn’t just about features — it’s a mindset. Imagine turning on a washing machine simply by touching anywhere on its display, opening a dishwasher without searching for hidden sensors, or maintaining a robot vacuum without removing parts. These are the kinds of seamless interactions we aim to deliver.
Designing Dignity Into Everyday Life
Samsung Inclusive Essentials begins with small gestures of empathy and grows into meaningful, empowering experiences. It represents Samsung’s belief that great design doesn’t just make products easier to use — it helps people live more confidently and independently.
By embedding accessibility into every detail, Samsung is reimagining what it means for home appliances to truly serve everyone.
