Women Are an Afterthought in Product Design | Ashwini Deshpande x Beyond Pink
1.6K views · 2026-10-23
Product DesignDesign Thinking
Who is the world really designed for?
From the temperature of an office to the safety of a car, the products we use and the experiences we navigate every day, design influences our lives in ways we rarely stop to question. But what happens when those decisions don't account for women's bodies, needs, and lived experiences?
On this episode of Beyond Pink, host Sangita Mall sits down with Ashwini Deshpande, Co-founder of Elephant Design, to explore how design shapes the world around us and why it needs to become more inclusive.
With over three decades of experience in design, Ashwini shares insights on building a pioneering design consultancy in India, creating distinctive brand experiences, and challenging the assumptions that often limit what design can achieve.
This is a conversation about much more than design. It's about the assumptions we inherit, the systems we build, and the everyday choices that determine whose needs are considered.
Because when we question who something was designed for, we begin to see who might have been left out.
If you enjoyed this conversation, like, share, and subscribe to Beyond Pink. Share it with someone who believes the world can be designed better.
#BeyondPink #AshwiniDeshpande #DesignThinking #InclusiveDesign #WomenInDesign
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CHAPTERS:
00:00 Trailer & Introduction to Ashwini Deshpande
02:12 What Makes a Great Designer?
03:05 The Philosophy of Good Design
04:17 From Problems to Solutions: The Design Process
05:34 The Mid-Career Crisis: Famous, Rich or Happy?
07:05 Finding Your Vision in Life and Work
09:02 What Makes Indian Design Unique?
11:34 Is Design Biased Towards Men?
14:07 AI, Creativity & the Future of Design
15:40 When the Problem Itself Is Wrong
17:35 The Story Behind Paper Boat
22:34 The Challenges of Being a Woman in Design
26:16 Gender Bias Hidden in Everyday Design
28:03 The Pink Tax: Why It’s Not Just a Women’s Problem
29:51 The Collective, #MeToo & Safer Creative Spaces
31:14 Designing Better Experiences for Women
34:27 End
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Follow Our Instagram Page - https://www.instagram.com/_beyondpink/
🎧 Listen to Our Podcasts on:
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6dvWTwjwLc60SiK4hJvjoy
Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/beyond-pink-by-sangi-mall/id1896647682
Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.in/podcasts/bcda1c2d-094a-4b07-89da-2a0034556e7b/beyond-pink-by-sangi-mall
Beyond Pink is a podcast about women who are living a new way of life in India.
Hosted by Sangi Mall, a Mumbai-based novelist and publisher, Beyond Pink explores women entrepreneurs, work-life balance, navigating patriarchy, modern Indian womanhood, and breaking traditional barriers. Each episode dives into real conversations about ambition, boardroom challenges, family dynamics, financial independence, and redefining success on your own terms.
If you're interested in women-led leadership journeys, Indian business stories, advice for women, and honest discussions about identity — this channel is for you.
New episodes every week! Subscribe and join the conversation.
From the temperature of an office to the safety of a car, the products we use and the experiences we navigate every day, design influences our lives in ways we rarely stop to question. But what happens when those decisions don't account for women's bodies, needs, and lived experiences?
On this episode of Beyond Pink, host Sangita Mall sits down with Ashwini Deshpande, Co-founder of Elephant Design, to explore how design shapes the world around us and why it needs to become more inclusive.
With over three decades of experience in design, Ashwini shares insights on building a pioneering design consultancy in India, creating distinctive brand experiences, and challenging the assumptions that often limit what design can achieve.
This is a conversation about much more than design. It's about the assumptions we inherit, the systems we build, and the everyday choices that determine whose needs are considered.
Because when we question who something was designed for, we begin to see who might have been left out.
If you enjoyed this conversation, like, share, and subscribe to Beyond Pink. Share it with someone who believes the world can be designed better.
#BeyondPink #AshwiniDeshpande #DesignThinking #InclusiveDesign #WomenInDesign
_______
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Trailer & Introduction to Ashwini Deshpande
02:12 What Makes a Great Designer?
03:05 The Philosophy of Good Design
04:17 From Problems to Solutions: The Design Process
05:34 The Mid-Career Crisis: Famous, Rich or Happy?
07:05 Finding Your Vision in Life and Work
09:02 What Makes Indian Design Unique?
11:34 Is Design Biased Towards Men?
14:07 AI, Creativity & the Future of Design
15:40 When the Problem Itself Is Wrong
17:35 The Story Behind Paper Boat
22:34 The Challenges of Being a Woman in Design
26:16 Gender Bias Hidden in Everyday Design
28:03 The Pink Tax: Why It’s Not Just a Women’s Problem
29:51 The Collective, #MeToo & Safer Creative Spaces
31:14 Designing Better Experiences for Women
34:27 End
_______
Follow Our Instagram Page - https://www.instagram.com/_beyondpink/
🎧 Listen to Our Podcasts on:
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6dvWTwjwLc60SiK4hJvjoy
Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/beyond-pink-by-sangi-mall/id1896647682
Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.in/podcasts/bcda1c2d-094a-4b07-89da-2a0034556e7b/beyond-pink-by-sangi-mall
Beyond Pink is a podcast about women who are living a new way of life in India.
Hosted by Sangi Mall, a Mumbai-based novelist and publisher, Beyond Pink explores women entrepreneurs, work-life balance, navigating patriarchy, modern Indian womanhood, and breaking traditional barriers. Each episode dives into real conversations about ambition, boardroom challenges, family dynamics, financial independence, and redefining success on your own terms.
If you're interested in women-led leadership journeys, Indian business stories, advice for women, and honest discussions about identity — this channel is for you.
New episodes every week! Subscribe and join the conversation.