Ellie Foster Criticizes Neurodiverse Design as Marketing Ploy in Dezeen Opinion

In a Dezeen opinion piece published on 21 September 2026, Manchester-based architecture and design journalist Ellie Foster argues that neurodiverse design is frequently exploited as a marketing tactic. She notes that 15-20 per cent of the global population exhibits traits of ADHD, autism, dyslexia and similar conditions, and that while interior designers are increasingly addressing neurodiversity, manufacturers often reduce the concept to superficial color adjustments. Foster points to a showroom installation at last year's Clerkenwell Design Week that addressed sensory needs but was tied to a new luxury vinyl tile collection resembling previous lines. She criticizes the industry's reliance on the terms hypo- and hypersensitivity, almost exclusively in relation to color, while ignoring issues such as low-hanging light fixtures causing claustrophobia, castor-mounted furniture causing emotional instability, and overly complex chairs creating distraction. Foster contends that repackaging existing collections with new hues, such as Cobalt and Stone, shows a lack of care for neurodiverse individuals. She urges interior designers to question brands' claims and to verify whether neurodiverse people were involved in product development. The article is part of Dezeen In Depth, a monthly newsletter. Foster is an architecture and design journalist based in Manchester. The image is a stock photo via Shutterstock.