Human Centered Design.

To think about technology these days, it is notable that the products that we interact with on a day-to-day basis do not just simply perform the base function in which we purchased them to do. In fact, there is a sense of gratification in how thoughtful and personable some products can be to human emotions. Ted Kelly discusses this emerging trend in human-centered design.

Design approach to technology has transformed from functional gadgets to adding human behaviour and experience into everyday and newly created products. Kelly discusses that even now in the development stage of products, designers are more focussed towards demonstrating how a product will be used as opposed to a three dimensional model of an object in order to communicate a object. Designers have been looking at essentially projecting behaviour or a personality into a product.

This is a gradual trend which can been seen on the market today in products such as; new car models, mobile phones and even in retail stores to enhance a customers experience. Kelly introduces the developments of a Prada store based in New York City. He rectifies how this human-centered design sparks people’s curiosity and includes cultural aspects as well as how it appeals to the clients. Creating custom technology for the staff and clients to use produces an easier and more organised way to shop. Every item in the store has a RF tag that can be scanned and used to upload more information about the items on any of the screens in the store as well as display the items taken into the dressing room. A plasma mirror that has a three second delay has been utilized to show the client what they look like from all angles. These new additions to the store allow the products and merchandise to be showcased at its best while also influencing the client positively.

Another example Kelly displayed was a CBS video articulating how Dilbert Comic Strips conducted an in-office review and experimentation in order to create “the ultimate cubicle”. With a team of designers the company developed their mission to redesign the cubicle. The idea in mind was to make the cubicle more human. By adding features such as a hammock, lights that reflect the sun’s position at that time a day, and home-like touches such as; built in fish tanks turns the boring, stress filling cubicle into a relaxing, comfortable work environment.

It is clear to see that we are now taking a human centered approach to design including behaviours and personalities in products. In response to this, designers are now more trusted and accredited by companies to develop products and systems that tailor to specifically target the emotional response that customers have with products.