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WHAT IS HUMAN-CENTRED DESIGN?

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“We spend a lot of time designing the bridge, but not enough time thinking about the people who are crossing it.”

-Dr. Prabhjot Singh, Director of Systems Design at the Earth Institute

I was recently at a high-profile networking event and whilst engaging in a deep conversation, I was asked “What is Human-Centred Design?” I paused for a while and contemplated what answer I should give her!

I decided to explain my (Innova Interior Design) unique and deep-rooted understanding of the question without getting too passionate and going too far to sound like a sales pitch.

Originally traced back as an idea in the 1950s (Buckminster Fuller) but officially popularized in 2002 by Professor David Kelly, the term Human-Centred Design (HCD) became a foundation for many designers to focus on whilst engaging in planning or implementing their designing process.

The Harvard Business School’s definition of HCD is, “Human-Centered Design is a problem-solving technique that puts real people at the centre of the development process, enabling you to create products and services that resonate and are tailored to your audience’s needs.”

So taking a deep breath, I decided to rewrite the above statement reflecting the heart of why we do what we do and our design approach at Innova Interior Design keeping HCD as its core focus.

“At Innova Interior Design our design approach puts YOU first, resulting in useful, usable designs and products. Innova Interior Design loves to create a culture of focusing on the user when designing spaces, keeping you at the heart of the design development process. We want to understand your limitations, constraints, challenges and desires. Together, as a team, we end with a tailor-made solution that satisfies your unique needs.”

Sounds good, doesn’t it….?

I feel that designs must reflect the behaviours and personalities of the client. Such is a non-negotiable in our process.

Diving deeper into HCD comes a better understating of 3 vital categories or phases that complete the HCD process.

1) Inspiration

2) Ideation

3) Implementation

INSPIRATION

Simon Sinek elegantly stated that “Our behaviour is affected by our assumptions or perceived truths. We make decisions based on what we THINK we know”. The First phase of HCD is vitally important in the design process because it’s vital that our design inspirations are deeply rooted in the understanding of our client’s needs, not what we THINK we know. Gathering more data about a client’s needs enables you to make better decisions, and embracing their empathetic requirements enables better emotion that emulate through the completed design.

“It is about them and for them. The closer the end-users’ needs are analyzed and answered, the more successful the adoption or purchase of a solution. You iterate until you get it right from a customer perspective. This the power of HCD.”

-Olivier Delarue, UNHCR

IDEATION

This phase focuses on taking the inspiration, knowledge and understanding and placing it down onto paper or concept board. Here, our team are able to start confidently embracing bold new ideas in our design, only because we have a deep true understating of who our client is. No Assumptions!!

Thus making our ideas unique and purpose fit for only you, the client.

This phase ensures challenges such as budget, material and build implications are addressed. Working together with you we embrace and encourage feedback, always refining our design and striving to make sure it’s perfect, for you!

IMPLEMENTATIONS

This process is where our hands get dirty and the implementation of the design is beginning and taking shape. Understanding that needs and design need to evolve, we ensure the implementation of the design is able to evolve with you. Sustainability!

I could go on further about HCD and the science behind it however I feel I’ve touched on the basics but equally highlighted what’s important to us at Innova Interior Design. Many proudly share how good their designs are (some are absolutely stunning) but we care about how good our designs can be for YOU! Our designs must reflect who YOU are as a client. I leave you with this famous quote by Donald A Norman Co-founder of Nielsen Norman Group

“Human-Centered Design is a philosophy, not a precise set of methods, but one that assumes that innovation should start by getting close to users and observing their activities.”

Donald A Norman Co-founder of Nielsen Norman Group

So back to my conversation, my answer was simple…

Our Proud HIstory

Innova Design was originally established in 1997 as Spatial Concepts with offices in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and Gaborone.

An alliance was formed with the Australian company BBR Design in 2000 which led to its local registration in South Africa. As an international group, BBR further expanded to include affiliate offices in New Zealand, Mauritius, UAE, Qatar and Singapore.

The international directors made the decision to change the name to Innova Design and in 2014 Wayne Smit joined the team. This name change was done so as to include bespoke project management, interior design and fit out to the medical and dental practices.

Our South African Innova team are highly talented and experienced, which ensures the continued success of this business operation in Africa. They have been carefully assembled over the years and add immense value to every assignment. Collectively, we deliver excellent services and end results, thereby ensuring customer satisfaction.

Tony Moore, the founder of the Group with a formal Property, Investment, Development and Management background, has steered a successful interior design, fit out and refurbishment company for the past 25 years. For that reason, he brings an invaluable wealth of experience, knowledge and expertise from all facets of the business. Wayne Smit continues to add a substantial benefit to the group as Projects Director. His background in Civil Engineering and Quantity Surveying forms the pillar stone to successful project completion. Andrew Dutton’s (Managing Director) fresh approach to human-centred design has ignited a new enhanced trajectory for Innova  Design which we are confident will impact future clients and change the industry.