So many designers and tech industries today are leaning more and more towards ‘human centred design’ (HCD) approach. Let’s talk about it today.

I have been both the providers and customers within the healthcare system, same as other people around me. That scenario alone explains that our healthcare revolves around human interactions. Also the very reason HCD is so important as part of the building blocks of basic fundamentals of innovation. By putting human first, we can then starts to show the problems. design.

Basically, there are four drivers in this world as Vijay Kumar summarised in his beautiful inspirational talk. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uk7P1YAKcjA

This weekend alone, I learnt that a user/technology pushed innovations such as ALT Vapor devices have significant influence to the users by putting HCD design in their ideation process.

Image retrieved from altvapors.com

One of an ALT vapour user shared with me over the weekend how this simple beautiful technology helped her reduced her spending on their weekly tobacco purchases by half. And not only that, they felt so much healthier and more productive. It literally, redefines the user’s perspective on why they even consume nicotine in the first place. They were then able to evaluate their decision of why they keep buying smokes even if they knew it is bad for them. Which eventually helps them realised that what started as an innocent habit had brought them to where they are today, financially and physically. 

It is clear to me how this product alone can be so desirable to the users. It is not only through because of its aesthetic but also its functionality. The device was able to create a new piece of habit on the user, and replaced the old one without “withdrawal” effects. And yes, I am talking about the likes of cigarette gums, patches and so on. Studies shows that these alternatives are proven less efficient because it had not the same ability to create such instant relieve for the users that vapour provides.

References:

• • Vaping much better smoking cessation aid than gum, patches, major study finds.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uk7P1YAKcjA
  • Drugs, gums or patches won’t increase your chances of quitting.http://theconversation.com/drugs-gums-or-patches-wont-increase-your-chances-of-quitting-89767
  • Nicotine Gum and Patch Don’t Help Smokers Quit Long Term.http://healthland.time.com/2012/01/09/nicotine-gum-and-patch-dont-help-smokers-quit-long-term/
  • E-cigarettes twice as effective as patches and gum – study. https://www.odt.co.nz/news/world/e-cigarettes-twice-effective-patches-and-gum-study

“…design thinking with a context creates impact!”

I used to thrive for originality in everything that I do and create. Later in life, I discovered that being original isn’t always the best way to go. I see too many designers are hustling their way into inventing or creating new ideas when the originality of it isn’t actually achieved at the end. The thing of ideas and creations are long established in human civilizations for decades. So, instead of approaching innovations through new creations, we could build upon the well established basic ideas. 

Now, don’t get me wrong, I am not entirely against new inventions. I think they are great when you can achieve the unicorn idea. The problem with that is, it is so rare and difficult to accomplished. I am merely emphasizing the 

Have a look at the Japanese brilliant inventions, they are truly the world’s leading design pioneer. Their creations are almost always presented very neatly, fresh, and mostly functional and efficient. (Alright, not ALL of them are, but you get the idea!)

I have had the privilege of working and studying amongst the brightest-minded designers, brilliant artists, and ever-so-engaging scientists in New Zealand and I can’t stress enough the importance of including the users/customers into your design ideas before releasing any kind of products into the market. It’s been far too often that I ended up chucking away a cheaply designed product that is too hard to use or don’t serve its purpose as well as its intended.

Let’s be mindful of our end-users because they are the ones who created the demands of product markets. Without the users, a product has no value or purpose in itself. Somebody taught me a very important lesson today, “…design thinking with a context creates impact!”. 

If you like to discuss more this topic with me, feel free to contact me. I will try to get back to you as soon as I can. 

Love,