Lecture Vasilis van Gemert (Creativity, Accessibility & Inclusive Design) - Nayomekaia/i-love-web GitHub Wiki

This was not my first lecture from Vasilis van Gemert, and once again, it was inspiring, eye-opening, and a little unconventional in the best way. Vasilis is a developer and lecturer in web design at the Hogeschool van Amsterdam, known for his strong focus on creativity, accessibility, and inclusive design. He challenges the usual idea of what “good” web design means and encourages students to think beyond rules and conventions.

What I Learned

Vasilis began by discussing what accessibility and inclusivity really mean in practice. He used the Theo Thijssen building as an example, a place that is technically accessible because someone in a wheelchair can enter, but not necessarily pleasantly accessible. That distinction really stood out to me: just because something meets the accessibility guidelines doesn’t automatically make it good or inclusive.

He explained that inclusive design means designing for everyone: considering all contexts, staying consistent, prioritising content, and adding real value. But he also contrasted it with exclusive design, intentionally designing for one person, breaking conventions, and sometimes adding a bit of nonsense. This playful approach pushes creativity and helps us see accessibility from a more human, less rule-driven perspective.

He encouraged us to set the bar higher than the accessibility guidelines, to create designs that are not just compliant but genuinely enjoyable and meaningful for people. His website, lovenonsense.com reflects that philosophy perfectly, mixing functionality, humor, and experimentation.

Creativity and “Useless” Websites

From his earlier talk, “The Power of Useless Websites”, I remembered how he argued that the web has become too serious and too predictable. According to Vasilis, developers and designers often forget to play. By building so-called useless websites, we give ourselves the freedom to experiment, learn, and rediscover joy in the creative process.

He showed examples of his own work, from playful clock experiments to CSS interactions that looked more like art than UI. The point wasn’t to build something useful, but to stay curious and keep exploring what’s possible.

My Reflection

Vasilis’s lectures always remind me why I fell in love with the web in the first place. They make me think differently about what it means to design for people. Accessibility shouldn’t be treated as a checklist, and creativity shouldn’t disappear behind rigid standards.

His idea that accessibility can be playful, even funny, really stuck with me. It’s a good reminder that thoughtful, inclusive design doesn’t have to be boring or predictable.

This lecture inspired me to experiment more, to take creative risks, and to design experiences that feel human, not just functional. The balance between inclusive design and creative freedom is something I want to keep exploring in my own projects.