NEW BEGINNINGS: WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A HUMAN-CENTERED DESIGNER?
In its simplest, most basic form, human-centered design means believing that all problems are solvable and that the people who face these problems hold the key. As straightforward as this statement may be, the task seems somewhat daunting. There are a lot of problems out there, and lot of these problems affect different people in different ways. As a result, many human-centered designers tend to be optimists, enthralled by the idea of solving the unsolvable, as well as makers, experimenters, and learners.
The seven mindsets help to guide these ambitious designers are empathy, optimism, iteration, creative confidence, making, embracing ambiguity, and learning from failure. Embracing these mindsets help carry the designer through the three phases of the process. These phases begin with inspiration, where the focus is placed on understanding the problem and the people who face it. The second phase is ideation. Here, opportunities for design are identified and ideas are generated, tested, and refined. The final step is implementation. The goal of this phase is to maximize the impact of the idea on the world.
The ultimate goal is to design solutions that are successful and sustainable. These solutions need to be desirable for people, feasible for technology, and viable for businesses.
The process is complex and full of highs and lows. It can be unpredictable and confusing. Many times we might run into dead ends or discover questions we cannot answer. For some, this may seem too full of uncertainty, but for myself, this draws me in. I am intrigued by exploring the unknown and the opportunity to collaborate with others to generate solutions that no one has ever seen before. Do I have what it takes? That is left to be seen as I begin the learning process. But I am excited to explore human connection, push myself through moments of discomfort when faced with new challenges, and take on the task of designing for good.
AUGUST 26TH, 2020