Have you ever stopped to think about who your designs are actually for? More often than not, we design for the “Jeffs” of the world—people just like us. But the world is far more diverse. People have different cultures, languages, abilities, and perspectives, and if we’re not considering them, we’re missing out on designing truly inclusive experiences.
That’s where Cards for Humanity, a free online tool from Frog Design, comes in. This simple yet powerful tool helps designers (and anyone who creates experiences) think beyond their own biases and build products that work for more people.
Let’s dive into why Cards for Humanity is an absolute must-try.
We might like to think we’re designing for everyone, but in reality, we often design for people who look, think, and behave like us. That’s just human nature. The problem? It leads to products and experiences that exclude people who don’t fit into our narrow view.
Even teams dedicated to accessibility and inclusive design still have blind spots. That’s where Cards for Humanity shines. By using a randomized persona-trait pairing system, the tool forces you to think outside of your own experience and consider real-world users you may have never thought about.
The magic of Cards for Humanity lies in its simplicity. With a single click, you get a randomly generated persona and trait.
For example:
👩🦳 Persona: Svetlana, 85 years old, very direct communicator
🚶 Trait: Sprained ankle
Now, imagine designing a digital service for Svetlana. How does her direct communication style impact user flow? What accessibility considerations do you need to make for someone with temporary mobility challenges?
You can swap out personas or traits if needed, but the real power comes from embracing the randomness. It challenges you to think on your feet and problem-solve creatively.
The tool doesn’t stop at persona-trait pairings. Each combination includes additional context that helps you understand the unique challenges that persona might face.
For instance, if your persona is partially deaf, the tool provides insights such as:
By surfacing these considerations, Cards for Humanity helps you build experiences that go beyond basic accessibility and truly work for a diverse range of users.
While Cards for Humanity was built with designers in mind, its use cases extend far beyond UX. Event professionals, workshop facilitators, and even business strategists can use it to explore user needs and design better experiences.
Imagine planning a large event and using Cards for Humanity to simulate different attendee needs. Would a partially deaf guest be able to navigate your venue? How would an impulsive teenager interact with your online registration process?
Yes, it’s completely free, and there’s even a Figma Plugin that allows you to integrate it directly into your design workflow. No excuses—go try it now!
If I could change one thing? I wish Cards for Humanity existed as a physical deck. There’s something special about holding cards in your hands, shuffling through possibilities, and using them in real-world workshops. But hey, the digital version (especially with the Figma Plugin) is still an incredible resource.
Whether you’re a UX designer, a product manager, or an event planner, Cards for Humanity is a game-changer. It helps you:
If you’re serious about designing for all users, not just the “Jeffs” of the world, this tool is for you.
Give it a try → Have you ever stopped to think about who your designs are actually for? More often than not, we design for the “Jeffs” of the world—people just like us. But the world is far more diverse. People have different cultures, languages, abilities, and perspectives, and if we’re not considering them, we’re missing out on designing truly inclusive experiences.
That’s where Cards for Humanity, a free online tool from Frog Design, comes in. This simple yet powerful tool helps designers (and anyone who creates experiences) think beyond their own biases and build products that work for more people.
Let’s dive into why Cards for Humanity is an absolute must-try.
We All Have Biases—This Tool Helps Break Them
We might like to think we’re designing for everyone, but in reality, we often design for people who look, think, and behave like us. That’s just human nature. The problem? It leads to products and experiences that exclude people who don’t fit into our narrow view.
Even teams dedicated to accessibility and inclusive design still have blind spots. That’s where Cards for Humanity shines. By using a randomized persona-trait pairing system, the tool forces you to think outside of your own experience and consider real-world users you may have never thought about.
How It Works: The Power of Randomization
The magic of Cards for Humanity lies in its simplicity. With a single click, you get a randomly generated persona and trait.
For example:
👩🦳 Persona: Svetlana, 85 years old, very direct communicator
🚶 Trait: Sprained ankle
Now, imagine designing a digital service for Svetlana. How does her direct communication style impact user flow? What accessibility considerations do you need to make for someone with temporary mobility challenges?
You can swap out personas or traits if needed, but the real power comes from embracing the randomness. It challenges you to think on your feet and problem-solve creatively.
Beyond the Surface: A Deeper Look into User Needs
The tool doesn’t stop at persona-trait pairings. Each combination includes additional context that helps you understand the unique challenges that persona might face.
For instance, if your persona is partially deaf, the tool provides insights such as:
By surfacing these considerations, Cards for Humanity helps you build experiences that go beyond basic accessibility and truly work for a diverse range of users.
It’s Not Just for Designers—Event Planners and More Can Use It Too!
While Cards for Humanity was built with designers in mind, its use cases extend far beyond UX. Event professionals, workshop facilitators, and even business strategists can use it to explore user needs and design better experiences.
Imagine planning a large event and using Cards for Humanity to simulate different attendee needs. Would a partially deaf guest be able to navigate your venue? How would an impulsive teenager interact with your online registration process?
A Free Tool With a Figma Plugin—What’s Not to Love?
Yes, it’s completely free, and there’s even a Figma Plugin that allows you to integrate it directly into your design workflow. No excuses—go try it now!
What I Wish Was Better
If I could change one thing? I wish Cards for Humanity existed as a physical deck. There’s something special about holding cards in your hands, shuffling through possibilities, and using them in real-world workshops. But hey, the digital version (especially with the Figma Plugin) is still an incredible resource.
Why You Should Try It Today
Whether you’re a UX designer, a product manager, or an event planner, Cards for Humanity is a game-changer. It helps you:
If you’re serious about designing for all users, not just the “Jeffs” of the world, this tool is for you.
Give it a try → Cards for Humanity by Frog Design