Designing for Women: Why It Changes Everything

We live in a man’s world. That much is clear.

More and more initiatives are being brought to light by women designing and creating spaces, products, and services specifically with the woman’s needs and body in mind. And what transpires is striking: a design made with women at the center looks and feels profoundly different from what we’ve been globally accustomed to.

The deeper we dive, the more we discover how much our world has been shaped to fit the male body and male needs, often putting women as an afterthought.

So what do these initiatives bring to the surface? How does designing with women as the main focus change things? And how can we bring that knowledge into our awareness to shift the narrative?

Pioneering Design for Women

In 2004, Volvo launched a concept car, the YCC, developed by an all-female design team to meet the particular needs of female drivers.

The design differed dramatically from typical male-oriented models.

Changes included: a complete reorganization of storage, gull-wing doors for better visibility and easier entry, seat and steering adjustments for various body types, automatic door-opening features, and a smart system that adjusts to height, leg length, and arm reach. The exterior design was rethought so the driver could always see all four corners of the car, with additional innovations such as parallel parking assistance and minimal maintenance requirements.

Though the car was never manufactured, it highlighted a key truth: designing for women results in fundamentally different solutions, focusing on accessibility, comfort, and practicality that men-oriented designs often overlook.

Another early initiative was the Matrix Feminist Design Co-operative in the 1980s, one of the first organizations worldwide to bring a feminine perspective into architecture. Their book, Making Space: Women and the Man-made Environment (1984), explored relationships between gender and built environments.

Today, this movement continues, from an all-women co-living space in the UAE to interior designers in China creating apartments designed for women. Men can thrive in these environments too, of course—but the shift lies in centering women’s bodies and needs rather than treating them as secondary.

How Environments Shape Our Confidence

As we now understand, most spaces, products, and services are built to fit male needs. This subtly but powerfully shapes how we interact with our environment, and even how we relate to ourselves and others.

Think about it: how does it affect your confidence, your comfort, or your sense of belonging when your body is constantly adapting to standards that weren’t designed for it?

Women have historically been asked to adjust to male-driven norms, while men evolve in environments optimized for them. The consequences are profound: women often feel self-doubt, insecurity, or the need to prove themselves. Men, conversely, often feel more confident, safe, and at ease.

Imagine if these scenarios were reversed—or, better yet, if design considered both men and women equally. Even subtle design elements, which may appear minor, carry deep societal messages about who belongs and whose needs come first.

This is not to criticize men, but to show how important what we can consider as subtle details actually influence us on a deeper level.

Shifting Perspectives, One Design at a Time

• Observe and question: Look at the objects, spaces, and products you interact with daily. Do they feel made for you, or do you adapt to them? Awareness is the first step.

• Support women-led design: Seek out brands, architects, and designers who center women’s needs. Your choices send a signal that inclusive design matters.

• Reclaim your power through creation: For women, this might mean designing, crafting, or customizing spaces and objects to fit your body and psyche. Consumption itself can be a form of empowerment.

• Encourage inclusivity: For men, this means recognizing that the default isn’t neutral and actively supporting design that considers diverse needs.

• Rethink norms: Advocate for workplaces, cities, and public spaces that accommodate all bodies, experiences, and ways of living—not just those historically prioritized.

These are small but powerful ways to shift the balance, influence collective consciousness, and make everyday life more equitable.

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The goal is to raise awareness of this societal issue and shift the narrative so that both men and women are included. Achieving this requires openness, empathy, and a willingness to acknowledge that we have different bodies, psyches, and emotional needs.

There’s no blame here—just an opportunity to elevate each other by honoring differences while striving for balance.

By embracing and encouraging more women-led initiatives that place women at the center, we don’t just redesign products or spaces—we begin to rewrite the story itself.

With love 🌸

Elodie