Human-Centered Design: How to Focus on People When You Solve Complex Global Challenges

by Rikke Friis Dam | | 11 min read
526 shares

When we design products and services, we use human-centered design insights to help us focus on the people. But how do we focus on the people in the context of complex global challenges? What should we be aware of? What are the pitfalls? And when should we reach out to help people? In this video, Don Norman will tell you how he thinks we can learn from the people-centered principle of human-centered design and how we can strive to solve complex global challenges.

“When you design, you have to understand what the capabilities are of the people you're designing for.”

— Don Norman

So, how can we start to leverage the power and insights of the local people? Don Norman, who coined the term “user experience,” will help us understand how to use community-based design and let the people drive the projects. Let’s watch.

Show Hide video transcript
  1. Transcript loading…
Video copyright info
Cognitive Science building at UC San Diego. by AndyrooP (CC-BY-SA-4.0)
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cognitive_Science.jpg

The 4 Principles of Human-Centered Design: People-Centered

Text that says 4 Principles of Human-Centered Design. The first is People-Centered, which is highlighted. The second is Solve the Right Problem, the third is Everything is a System and the fourth is Small and Simple Interventions.

People are at the heart of human-centered design. As Don Norman explains above, when we tackle complex global challenges, we should not design for people. Instead, we should involve and design with the people who are closest to those challenges.
© Interaction Design Foundation, CC BY-SA 3.0

References and Where to Learn More

Read Don’s insight-laden book The Design of Everyday Things to learn more about Human-Centered Design.

Images

© Interaction Design Foundation, CC BY-SA 3.0

526 shares

Open Access—Link to us!

We believe in Open Access and the democratization of knowledge. Unfortunately, world-class educational materials such as this page are normally hidden behind paywalls or in expensive textbooks.

If you want this to change, , link to us, or join us to help us democratize design knowledge!

Share Knowledge, Get Respect!

Share on:

or copy link

Cite according to academic standards

Simply copy and paste the text below into your bibliographic reference list, onto your blog, or anywhere else. You can also just hyperlink to this article.

Dam, R. F. (2021, May 27). Human-Centered Design: How to Focus on People When You Solve Complex Global Challenges. Interaction Design Foundation - IxDF.

New to UX Design? We're Giving You a Free eBook!

The Basics of User Experience Design

Download our free ebook “The Basics of User Experience Design” to learn about core concepts of UX design.

In 9 chapters, we’ll cover: conducting user interviews, design thinking, interaction design, mobile UX design, usability, UX research, and many more!

A valid email address is required.
314,896 designers enjoy our newsletter—sure you don’t want to receive it?

New to UX Design? We're Giving You a Free eBook!

The Basics of User Experience Design

Download our free ebook “The Basics of User Experience Design” to learn about core concepts of UX design.

In 9 chapters, we’ll cover: conducting user interviews, design thinking, interaction design, mobile UX design, usability, UX research, and many more!

A valid email address is required.
314,896 designers enjoy our newsletter—sure you don’t want to receive it?