5 Reasons Why Human-Centered Design is More Relevant Now than Ever
Tags: Design Thinking, Transformation, Innovation, Change Management, Human Centered Design

It would seem that human-centered design, as a methodology, was made for this moment in history. In this time of momentous change and of digital revolution, human-centered design processes are reminding organizations across the globe of who they are and who they are serving, and preparing them for any challenge this new world may bring.

Here is why the methodology makes sense today more than ever before:

It is adaptable to change: If the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us nothing else it is that the only constants in the world today are change and complexity. And if innovative agility is required for business survival in our new realities, then the means to see innovation through must be agile as well. Unlike the traditional approaches of yesterday, the human-centered design method does not follow strict and controlled steps. In fact, it can be molded and interpreted to suit the goals of its designers, with the end-user as its overarching guide. It is a non-linear approach to problem-solving that is iterative by nature and highly adaptable — just like the designers it inspires.

“Let’s prioritize making human-centered design more of a mindset than a methodology — especially in the context of COVID-19. It is a philosophy that leverages myriad tactics to aid in problem-solving and can absolutely be complementary to other approaches such as agile development and critical thinking. Its principles should never be “put on a pedestal”. Rather, teams should smartly bring in — and evolve where needed — tactics to help them achieve their objectives. — ExperiencePoint Product Design Lead, Justin Kirkey

It imparts soft skills: Recently, Forbes.com identified the eight primary skills all workers will need to succeed in a post-Coronavirus world. While hard skills such as tech savviness and data literacy are included, all four of the soft skills identified (Adaptability and Flexibility, Creativity & Innovation, Leadership and Emotional Intelligence) can be directly associated with human-centered design, making the method a one-stop-shop for gaining the most crucial soft skills across any industry.

“In today’s increasingly digital era, hiring managers are looking beyond the academic qualifications of candidates. Despite the fuss over grades, good grades alone are not enough. There is an increasing emphasis on skills such as design thinking, problem-solving, adaptability and empathy — all of which are indispensable to current as well as future job roles.” — Sameer A.M. Entrepreneur.com

It reaches across industries: There has not been a solitary industry that has been spared the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. At some level, whether it be to the benefit or detriment of that sector, change has come and it has come swiftly. Yet we know that within every disrupted landscape lies unprecedented opportunity for innovation. And thankfully, wherever innovation is needed — whether it be in the healthcare, education, not-for-profit, technology space or otherwise — the human-centered design method is ready to drive impact.

“In a recent seven-year study in which I looked in depth at 50 projects from a range of sectors, including business, health care, and social services, I have seen that another social technology, design thinking, has the potential to do for innovation exactly what Total Quality Management did for manufacturing in the 1980s: unleash people’s full creative energies, win their commitment, and radically improve processes.” — Jeanne Liedtka, Harvard Business Review, Why Design Thinking Works

It counteracts digital dehumanization: The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed the business world towards a period of rapid and mass digital transformation. As a result, many designers have allowed the human experience to fall by the wayside — a significant mistake at a time when consumers are craving human connection more than ever before. Human-centered design does not, and has never, allowed for human experience to become an afterthought. In fact, humans are the driving force of the methodology, which challenges us to think beyond the basic needs of business and to ask, “What is the human need?”, even when we are speeding products to market.

“In the rush to become more efficient in their digital solutions, many organizations have left human experience as an afterthought…. As digital transformation continues to take hold, it will be human connection that remains the most vital predecessor of a company’s success.” — Deloitte’s Annual Marketing Outlook Report, 2020

It necessitates diversity: As digitization of business continues to blur geographical lines and expand user communities, the human-centered method will continue to remind designers that to embrace diversity is to solve more problems. By its very nature, human-centered design not only encourages, but insists upon, diversity. It compels designers to look beyond their own person and to understand the experiences, perceptions and realities of others, and in doing so, understands that a team cannot successfully seek to interpret and analyze diverse perspectives outside their own space without first being diverse themselves.

“Diversity enhances creativity. It encourages the search for novel information and perspectives, leading to better decision making and problem solving. Diversity can improve the bottom line of companies and lead to unfettered discoveries and breakthrough innovations. Even simply being exposed to diversity can change the way you think.” — Dr. Katherine W. Phillips, Scientific American