In today’s digital age, “human-centred design” is a phrase that is rapidly gaining momentum and increasingly given more importance in design fields. Although the term was first used by Irish Engineer Mike Cooley in his publication “Human-centred Systems” in 1987, the principles of HCD have been embodied in architecture for much longer. Read on to learn more about the term that forms the very essence of all aspects of design.
What is Human-Centred Design (HCD)?
Human-centered or Human-centric design, as the name suggests, refers to design that puts people and their needs at its forefront. Although architecture originally evolved to accommodate the basic requirements of shelter, it has since evolved to encompass various other aspects including the importance of people and how we experience spaces. Every space, built form, structure and room that we come across every day is created to be experienced by humans. The core concept of HCD is centered around enhancing these experiences to have a positive and memorable impact on humans.
A simple example to understand the difference between normal design and HCD is ‘Smart Homes’. While smart homes often make our lives more convenient and simple with voice assistance and automation, elderly people may find such tools difficult to understand and operate. HCD ensures that spaces are designed based on the actual users of the space and not on changing trends.
Understanding the Human-Centred Design Process
The HCD process in theory may seem simple- designed for humans. However, the theory is much harder to put into practice and involves various steps to ensure implementation of successful and meaningful design.
- Study of User Groups
This forms the basis of HCD and involves exploration into how users may actually use the spaces that will be designed for them. It includes studying day-to-day activities of users, along with their movement in and utilisation of different spaces, in order to ensure functionality.
- Community/User Participation
Involving the people who will actually experience the spaces on a daily basis ensures a user-centred design process. They must be predominantly involved during the design process to provide valuable insights into the requirements and objectives of the design. A cooperative system between designers and users can lead to the creation of sensible and meaningful spaces.
- Case Studies
Studying similar projects that have been successful in the past can be a significant step for sparking initial design concepts. Examining failures in past designs can also prove to be a learning tool for things to be avoided.
- Ideation and Implementation
During each step of the ideation and implementation process, it is vital for designers to put themselves in the shoes of users or think like them. “How would I use this space?”, “What do I want from this space?” and “Why do I need this space?” are some of the important questions that need to be asked to generate initial design concepts for ideation.
Why is Human-Centred Design Important?
Every built form must prioritise humans and their activities in order to ensure the proper utilisation of spaces. HCD has several benefits, which make it an essential aspect of design that cannot be overlooked.
- Inclusivity
Universal design refers to design that caters to every individual, including senior citizens, specially-abled people, children, minorities and other vulnerable sections of society. This is a core aspect of HCD, which incorporates inclusivity and assures non-negligence of any section of society. Some representative aspects of Universal Design are ramps for wheelchair access, texture differentiations for the blind and slip-resistant surfaces for the elderly.
- Integration of Technology
Technology is often integrated into built forms as a USP (Unique Selling Point). However, technology was developed by humans to make their lives easier and HCD ensures that it is incorporated solely for this purpose into buildings. People remain the focal point of design with technology meant to serve and assist with their needs.
- Convenience, Comfort and Functionality
Study of user groups as a basis for designing allows human-centric designs to evolve into spaces that maximise the convenience and comfort of their users. Non-integral spaces are eliminated from designs to ensure functional built forms that cater specifically to the requirements of users.
- Sensory Stimulation
HCD leads to the design of spaces that invoke the senses of sight, touch, sound and feel, achieved by the use of characteristic textures, colours, forms and other elements. This helps in creating spaces that have unique identities, are memorable and form emotional connections with their users.
- Sociological Wellbeing
Habiting spaces that are designed with focus on the users result in increased productivity and cognitive performance. These lead to the generation of positive feelings of overall satisfaction and enhance sociological and emotional well-being.
- Physical Wellbeing
Vital requirements for human sustenance, such as abundant natural lighting and ventilation, good air quality, thermal comfort and livability, are prioritised in HCD. Focus on safety and security of users also ensures the physical wellbeing of long-time users of the space.
- Community Development
HCD embraces local cultural and historical identities, which leads to the creation of a sense of belonging among users. It often involves the design of spaces that maximise social interactions and encourage communal harmony, while emphasising the concept that people are responsible for the creation of their own communities. This ultimately results in the overall development of the community.
Projects Based on the Human-Centred Design Approach
- Desired Paths
Among human-centred design examples is the concept of ‘desired paths’ for walking. This refers to pathways that are created by people frequently walking along routes that are most convenient. For example, across large lawn areas, unintentional walking paths that did not initially exist, can always be observed.
- Park de la Villette
Architect Bernard Tschumi’s ‘Parc de la Villette’ is a 135 acre park in Paris, which uses ‘follies’ as points of reference and remembrance for its users. The enormous park does not have any organisational structure, but instead relies on people to “stumble upon” spaces that they want to use for playing, meditation and relaxation. This emphasises the organic and free flow pattern in which parks are generally used by people.
- Quinta Monroy Housing
Architect Alajendro Aravena designed the Quinta Monroy Housing for economically backward sections of society in Chile. In this project, in-depth community consultations were made to create ‘participatory designs’. ‘Half houses’ were built for the people, with the potential to be expanded by their users based on the needs of their growing families.
- Kapaclajui Indigenous Training Centre
This educational institute in Costa Rica by Architects Entre Nos Atelier, was designed after a series of participatory design workshops were conducted for local people. Users were consulted in order to design spaces that accommodated their needs and respected local cultures, identities and environment.
Towards a More Human-Centric Tomorrow
Prominent architect Le Corbusier was famously quoted as saying “The house is a machine to live in”. However, our homes and cities are so much more than just machines. They are spaces where we spend the majority of our time, have life experiences and make memories. Italian architect and theoretician Aldo Rossi explains how architecture should be dynamic and alive, formed by individual senses associated with places and objects. HCD ensures that this essence of architecture is retained.
Rapid advancements in technology have led to social isolation of human beings, with a large part of our days spent staring at digital screens. In such times, HCD provides a vital sense of connectivity with our spaces and communities. The ultimate purpose of design is to serve humans and their needs and this is a guiding principle for all forms of design. Human-centred design thinking is thus a fundamental aspect of creating a better future for people, with meaningful spaces that serve their functions.