All design should be human centred, it’s as simple as that. And I mean human-centred, not ‘user centred’ or ‘user-friendly’, because users are human beings after all. —David Townson, Design Council
Human-centred design is a technique used by designers to create products for real people and their needs, focusing on their wants and preferences throughout the process. They especially focus on accessibility and inclusion so the product can be used by everyone and be more popular. When we refer to human-centred design, we specifically design for humans, not the user.
American author and researcher Don Norman is best known for being the co-founder of the Nielsen Norman Group. He has written many books including:
Known as the father of UX design he started off studying Electrical Engineering and Psychology and then went on to work in Harvard, Apple and an executive in HP and now focuses on helping companies with the user experience in their business. One of his most famous books ‘The Design of Everyday Things’ highlights Norman’s frustration with his daily experiences of using products such as door handles. This is where the term ‘Norman Door’ comes from, named after Don Norman, a Norman door is any door that is confusing to use or you don’t know how to open as you approach.
Good examples of doors include:
Bad examples include: