Social factors refer to the ways people interact with each other, services, the environment and the society in which they live and work. They influence how individuals and groups will use, navigate and interact with the designed spaces, experiences and products.

Social factors include:

• User-centred design 

• Demographics

• Social equality and discrimination

•  Accessibility, disability

• Health and safety considerations

• Community, Civic Responsibility, politics and Nationalism

Social factors influence design decisions by recognising that people's needs and preferences should be at the centre of design. Social factors intersect with Cultural factors as they refer to values, beliefs and behaviours.

COMMUNITY AND COLLABORATION

The built environment has a responsibility to foster positive interactions, support communal activities and enhance the sense of belonging and connection. Public spaces and structures contribute to a community's sense of identity through place. Open-plan living, seen in contemporary homes brings people together enhancing family bonds and conversation.

USER-CENTRED DESIGN

Social factors emphasise the audience and user's needs, preferences, and behaviours. User-centred design approaches involve conducting research to understand how people will engage with the design and incorporating stakeholder insights into the design decision-making process. Aspects also include;

User behaviour and interaction

Social factors consider how people's behaviours and routines influence design choices. Understanding these patterns can lead to more effective designs that facilitate desired behaviours and experiences. Design decisions should consider how individuals and groups will use, navigate, and interact with spaces, products and particularly, interactive experiences including apps and websites.

Accessibility and Inclusivity

Social factors emphasise the importance of creating designs that are accessible and inclusive for all individuals, regardless of their abilities, age, or background. Design decisions should aim to remove barriers and accommodate diverse needs.

Politics, civics and nationalism

These three aspects of society are influenced by both the cultural and social frames. They can be discussed within either, depending on the particular example.

Design decisions that are influenced by politics, civics or nationalism embody the principles of ideologies and are seen in the ways designers use shapes, colours, patterns, images and symbols.