Good design stems from deliberate and thoughtful decisions, resulting in visually pleasing, functional, and user-friendly solutions. Dieter Rams, a renowned German industrial designer, formulated the 10 principles of good design over 50 years ago.
Despite evolving consumer products and technology, Dieter Rams' 10 principles remain relevant and valuable guidelines for designers across various disciplines, including user experience design.
According to Dieter Rams, good design is:
But is good design also human-centric?
Good design includes functionality, aesthetics, usability, and efficiency. It focuses on creating solutions that meet users' needs and preferences while considering technical constraints and market demands.
Good design can be subjective and may not always prioritize users’ needs and experiences.
On the other hand, human-centric design (also known as user-centered design) strongly emphasizes understanding the perspectives, behaviors, and preferences of the end-users throughout the design process.
It actively involves users in the design process through research, observation, and feedback gathering to ensure that the final product or solution is tailored to their needs, preferences, and behaviors.
While good design focuses on creating effective and aesthetically pleasing solutions, human-centric design prioritizes the users’ needs, behaviors, and experiences to ensure the final outcome is truly user-centered and impactful.
Human-centric design aims to create products, services, or experiences that are intuitive, accessible, and meaningful to the users, ultimately enhancing their overall experience and satisfaction.
Here are some critical steps of human-centric design:
Human-centric design is non-negotiable for organizations due to several reasons including:
Human-centric experience design fosters innovation and creativity by challenging traditional norms and inspiring new ideas. When organizations prioritize understanding and meeting users’ needs, they often uncover unique insights that lead to groundbreaking solutions.
Apple's success with the iPhone stemmed from its human-centric approach, revolutionizing the smartphone industry by focusing on user experience and design aesthetics.
Well-designed products and services are intuitive, efficient, and effectively solve user problems. Organizations prioritizing human-centric design can create products that seamlessly integrate into people's lives, enhancing their overall user experience.
Tesla's electric vehicles are renowned for their user-friendly interfaces and advanced features, setting new automotive design and usability standards.
Human-centric design ensures that products and services are accessible to individuals with diverse needs and abilities. By considering factors such as age, physical abilities, and cultural backgrounds, organizations can design solutions that cater to a broader audience.
Microsoft's inclusive design approach led to the development of the Xbox Adaptive Controller, which allows specially-abled gamers to customize their gaming experience.
Human-centric design prioritizes sustainability and ethical considerations throughout the product lifecycle. Organizations can create products that align with consumers’ values and contribute to a more sustainable future by minimizing waste, reducing environmental impact, and promoting ethical practices.
Patagonia, for example, is known for its commitment to sustainability, producing outdoor apparel with eco-friendly materials and ethical manufacturing practices.
Design can evoke emotions, build brand identity, and resonate with specific cultures. Organizations that embrace human-centric design can create products and experiences that build emotional connections with users, fostering loyalty and brand advocacy.
Airbnb's design ethos reflects cultural diversity and local experiences, allowing users to connect with unique destinations and communities worldwide.
| Industry |
Goals |
Impact |
| Healthcare |
Improved patient outcomes, reduced healthcare costs, and increased patient satisfaction. |
Accessible medical devices, user-friendly hospital interfaces, and personalized treatment plans. |
| Education |
Enhanced learning experiences, increased student engagement, and improved accessibility for diverse learners. |
Interactive learning platforms, inclusive classroom design, gamified learning experiences. |
| Finance |
Increased customer trust, improved financial literacy, and accessible financial products and services. |
User-friendly banking apps, financial education programs tailored to different needs, and personalized investment advice. |
| Technology |
More intuitive and user-friendly products, increased accessibility for diverse users, and ethical considerations in technology development. |
Voice-activated interfaces, screen reader accessibility features, and design for inclusivity and accessibility. |
| Retail |
Personalized shopping experiences, improved customer loyalty, and reduced environmental impact. |
Omnichannel retail experiences, AI-powered product recommendations, sustainable packaging, and product design. |
| Transportation |
Safer and more efficient transportation systems, accessible public transportation, and improved user experience. |
Self-driving cars with intuitive interfaces, accessible public transportation systems, and user-friendly ticketing systems. |
| Government |
More accessible and efficient government services, improved communication with citizens, and increased public trust. |
User-friendly government websites and apps, citizen-centered policy development, accessible information and services. |
| Environmental |
Sustainable product design, reduced environmental impact, increased awareness of environmental issues. |
Energy-efficient appliances, eco-friendly packaging, and products designed for circularity and reuse. |
| Non-profit |
Improved outreach and fundraising, effective communication of mission and impact, and increased engagement with beneficiaries. |
Accessible and user-friendly donation platforms, impactful storytelling through design, and user-centered development of non-profit programs. |
Los Angeles County wanted to update its voting system to ensure everyone could vote easily. With five million voters, it needed a system that worked for everyone, including people who didn’t speak English well, those with disabilities, and those who weren’t good with technology. They teamed up with IDEO to create a new voting solution.
Specially abled voters used to face several issues during voting. In the 2020 election, such voters had double the trouble voting compared to others, leading to fewer of them voting. The federal rules required translated materials for many non-English-speaking areas, affecting many jurisdictions, including Los Angeles County.
Working together with Los Angeles County, IDEO developed a modern voting machine. This machine had a simple touchscreen and helped everyone vote easily. It included features like audio and tactile options for visually impaired people and supported many languages for non-English speakers.
People in Los Angeles County liked the new system, finding it easy and secure. By making voting more accessible, the county ensured that everyone could vote independently and comfortably. They also ensured the system could adapt to future needs and technology changes, protecting voters' rights for years.
The collaboration between Los Angeles County and IDEO shows how important it is to make voting accessible to everyone. By prioritizing simplicity and inclusivity, the county sets an example for others to follow in ensuring that every citizen can vote freely. Their commitment to accessibility reaffirms their dedication to democracy and empowering all voters in their diverse community.
Need more insights into how human-centric design can elevate your brand? Speak with our expert to get more clarity.