What human centred design is
Human centred design (HCD) or user centred design (UCD) is the practice of designing services and systems by focusing on the needs of people that use them.
Instead of just assuming what people need or want, designers gather information from groups and individuals to understand their real needs, preferences, and the tasks they want to accomplish.
By keeping the people that are involved in the process at the centre of the design effort, HCD ensures that systems are easy to use, efficient, effective and enjoyable.
Why it’s important to ODP
Human Centred Design is used all over ODP. It is how our products are built, how are onboarding journeys are created and how our data touch points are designed. Following the process of how some of the services have come to life may show why they are designed as they are. It also might highlight when something could be designed better!
Why it’s important in working life
HCD looks at the problem you're solving as part of a wider ecosystem. A single product or service doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It must consider:
- people who use it
- people who provide it (staff)
- environment it is used in
- what comes before and after it’s used?
HCD considers the social, financial, political, technical and organisational causes and consequences of an issue.