Representation Matters: Allclusive Character Design

“Inclusive characters are not just a design choice; they’re a responsibility. They provide children with a window into the world, exposing them to diverse perspectives and experiences that they may not encounter in their everyday lives. By creating characters that reflect the full spectrum of human diversity, we can help foster a more compassionate and inclusive society.” 

Eve Gardiner, Home & Interiors Content Lead

As explored in our Broadening the Narrative series, a rejection of traditional, social narratives is highlighting the need for greater design democracy and a better representation of marginalised groups and communities. This is essential for future character design development due to the powerful influence they have on the way children view themselves and others.

Introducing our ‘Allclusive Characters’ report series

The ‘Allclusive Characters’ report series, available on our Premium trend subscription My TrendBible, explores better representation for character design and narrative and spotlights key design opportunities to help brands convey this ‘allclusive‘ attitude.

Part 1: Allclusive Characters

A backlash towards perfectionism as well as a greater understanding of mental health is highlighting a greater demand for more authentic representation. This spotlights an opportunity to showcase what it means to be human and the spectrum of emotions and vulnerabilities that can often come with it. Achieve this using expressive faces, nervous movement lines and scribbled thought patterns. Looking for experimental ways to depict a wider representation across body types, race, gender and disability as well as evolving family dynamics and relationships is crucial to connecting with Gen Alpha and Gen Z. This report demonstrates how designers must look beyond a ‘one size fits all’ approach to help children navigate and appreciate the nuances that make them unique.

Part 2: Representing Neurodiversity

In this second installment, we take a deep dive into the ever-evolving realm of neurodiversity representation in character design. As highlighted in our 2025 Macro Report, an increased understanding of neurodiversity and mental health allows children to begin to create a world where diverse ways of thinking are embraced, normalised and actively celebrated. Whilst there’s still a long way to go, conditions such as Autism, ADHD, and ADD, which were once misunderstood or overlooked, are beginning to find their rightful place within children’s literature, media and art.

Part 3: Evolving Family Dynamics

A greater push for inclusion has prompted a radical rethink of family norms and social narratives. This report demonstrates the importance of looking for experimental ways to showcase evolving family dynamics and the unique people and perspectives within them. Whether this is capturing diverse family setups through multifaceted characters that defy stereotypical family roles or exploring clashing illustrative styles to emphasise unique personality traits.

Part 4: Disabled Sporting Champions

This report focuses on the evolution of representation, from the importance of the 2024 Paralympics to trailblazers who are emphasizing accessibility and reshaping perceptions of disability in sport. Designers and brands have the creative freedom to explore concepts that champion inclusivity, resonating with Gen Z and Gen Alpha audiences. By transcending traditional boundaries, this approach is helping to cultivate a more compassionate and inclusive creative landscape.

Unpack fresh inspiration and pioneering initiatives for all forms of character design when you subscribe to our Premium membership at My TrendBible. My TrendBible is our trend subscription service dedicated to The Future of Life at Home. It is designed to inspire and spark ideas, give your teams confidence in actioning trends and provide validation from across the globe.