#human-centered-design

#human-centered-design

Design concepts live in that fascinating space between "what if" and "why not," where the constraints of manufacturing budgets and market research haven't yet trimmed away the boldest ideas. While finished products get the spotlight and the sales figures, concepts represent design thinking at its most uninhibited, tackling problems we didn't even know we had and proposing solutions that make us wonder why nobody thought of this sooner.

For most of computing history, designers have been the authors of the visible world. They shaped the screens we tap, the icons we recognize, the patterns we repeat until they feel second nature. From Xerox PARC to Apple's Human Interface Guidelines, nearly every interface worth designing has already been designed. The metaphors of interaction: the desktop, folders, windows, menu, tap, swipe, are now complete, endlessly iterated but rarely reinvented.

The conversation about AI and creativity isn't going anywhere, and it was front and centre at Frontify's recent Paradigms conference in Morocco. Jonas Hegi, co-founder and executive creative director of Builders Club, leads one of the most forward-thinking creative studios operating today, blending film, design, and emerging technology for clients like Apple, Nike, OpenAI, and Beats. At Paradigms, Jonas' talk explored what it means to stay experimental, human and craft-driven in a future increasingly shaped by machines.

With hybrid work now a common policy for organizations across the world, more focus is being put on the companies providing the tools to ensure workers stay productive, wherever they are. Speaking at the company's Logi Work event in London, Hanneke Faber outlined its aim of supporting, "the future of work - working smarter, living better, growing faster." Part of this is through the latest products, including its

The short version: IT is broken. It's not working, to the point where people are ready to give it up, just like they would a mangled hammer. I think the brokenness is rooted in a lack of humanism: it doesn't work for people; it uses people towards the builders' ends. It's also more complicated than that, which I parse through while also giving a clue about how to get out of being stuck.

In the past, sports and cultural facilities in China were often designed with iconic, exaggerated forms. However, recent trends have shifted towards focusing on the experience of the site and its connection to the surrounding urban environment. The Shekou Cultural and Sports Park proposal responds to this human-centered era, emphasizing public engagement, accessibility, and a blend of indoor and outdoor spaces, while maintaining a strong sense of place.

When my father died a few years ago, it changed me. We had a complicated relationship, but as adults, we did our best to mend the past and spend time forming a better relationship. After he passed, I held onto the good memories, but I also regretted the things we never got the chance to do while he was alive. That's how grief works - it strips life down. The noise fades, and what remains is a clearer sense of what actually matters.

In the public sector, the stakes are high: If an agency's technology fails, real people don't get the health services they need, disaster recovery efforts get delayed, and communities lose access to services they rely on. But we also know the right technology can empower public servants to have a bigger impact. Fast forward three years, and AI is everywhere. Chatbots abound and AI widgets appear in new applications daily.

Designers need to lead with their human strengths. AI tools can generate design renderings, but it's the designers who make the final decisions, refinements, and bring them to life in the real world. There's this widespread misconception that AI will replace people in most creative work. That simply isn't true. Humans still need to be kept in the loop. No technology will ever replace a well-trained designer who empathises with how people want to live and move within a space

As young people report feeling lonelier and less connected than ever, the dating app Hinge is driving its users into real human experiences. CEO Justin McLeod shares how the platform is combating digital fatigue amongst users, as well as navigating the risks and opportunities of AI in online dating. McLeod also explores Hinge's recent collaboration with renowned psychologist Esther Perel, and offers insider tips to find that special someone in the chaos of modern romance.

"We need to think beyond ADA requirements. It's not a particular look - it's making sure you're designing so that everyone feels comfortable, and everyone can feel like their needs are supported and that they have a sense of belonging in that space."

In today's business landscape, the most successful brands aren't just selling products, they're building movements. They don't just fill shelves; they shape values.

At IDEO's Emerging Tech Lab, we focus on using human-centered design to explore and embrace new technologies, ensuring they are useful and engaging for people.

The Mindset Myth suggests that individual success is primarily due to personal drive and attitude while neglecting systemic barriers that affect access.