#humancentred

Partnerships aims to build a future-ready Malaysia Collaboration highlights M’sia role in uniting players to drive smart, sustainable urban innovation Malaysia has marked a significant milestone in its journey towards inclusive, people-centric digital transformation. At the Smart City Expo Kuala Lumpur 2025 (SCEKL25), Gobind Deo Singh, minister of digital, witnessed the exchange of three…

The exploration of design as a multi-dimensional practice in this lecture caught my attention. The idea that design does not have one single definition and cannot be succinctly represented interested me. I decided to grab the definitions of design that were discussed and find at least one example of each to make a comparison.

Here’s what I found and what understandings I gathered:

-Design as Inspiration- My understanding of this concept is that a designer may find inspiration on their own and be prompted to produce design. This may occur due to any circumstance: their own struggle, someone else’s struggle, environmental issues, boredom, etc. Inspiration may strike while travelling, conversing, through observation, or while on the internet. 

Example:

https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2013/05/50-problems-50-days-part-1-real-empathy-innovation/

-Design as Human Centred- This definition may be referring to a less broad take on design. It may be referencing design strictly made for human benefit, such as fashion, transport, disability services, children facilities, etc. The reason for this type of design to exist is the need for equality as well as the evolution of humankind.

Example:

https://architizer.com/blog/inspiration/collections/design-for-disabilities/

-Design as Shaping Reality- A  definition of design that may seem of greater scale as it speaks of design having a huge impact on a theory that is difficult to grasp. Such things as buildings, cities, rooms, offices and others, create the new reality of people as the natural world is left behind and quite often neglected and forgotten. This definition also encompasses AR and VR, which may become the future reality.

Examples:

https://www.startupdaily.net/2016/12/designing-digital-life-ux-designers-shaping-modern-reality/

-Design as Sustainable- Not long ago, around the time of the Industrial Revolution, the desire of some to be sustainable and caring for the environment may have been the beginning of a whole new way of design thinking. The thought of producing waste may have become undesirable prompting many to find other ways of production that would allow object to have a much longer life expectancy and recycling. 

Example:

https://www.designboom.com/design/geochanvre-mask-biocompostable-hemp-fibers-08-20-20/

-Design as Play- A more artistic and crafty approach to design, this definition may allow more designers to “creatively” express their ideas. They may find humorous, satirical or metaphorical mediums, materials and executions for their design. 

Example:

    Make Me a Wallet pt.1a-  Get to Know the Others First 

 http://bridges-2013.blogspot.ca/2013/01/bridges-hd-wallpapers.html

 Revisiting some key points of the lecture, activities in the lab allowed to learn about who we are, not as a designer, but as an individual’s difference in the value and belief. In this activity, we were off to a survival trip in a questionable setting. No information was given  to come up with a list of 10 items to carry along the adventure for a X amount of time. 

Throughout the exercise, the idea of designing for others became clear that the main focus is more of a complete understanding of a human behaviour in accordance with their value, which can be achieved by scrutinizing designer’s his/her own behaviour and inherent ‘gut feeling’.

As a study has proven that everyone is somewhat biased, I found myself picturing a wildlife in the middle of nowhere when an imagery of the mysterious end of bridge appeared- my memory of a scene from Cast Away (2000) influenced the list of essentials for this trip. 

The list consists of: 

       -A journal and a pen

       -Harmonica (which I cannot play, yet easy to learn) 

       -Glasses

       -Pictures

       -An apple

       -Swiss Army 

      -A vehicle

      -Toque

      -Socks

      -Sleeping bag

Since many listed items are self-explanatory as tools to survive in a wild environment, further explanation will cover in which sphere the objects will be placed in the Human Experience model below. This model is not the most ideal one regarding the fact that spheres are not interrelated, whereas, in most times, our appeals to the objects simulteanously overlay two of more concepts.  

http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/zombie/images/4/48/Swiss-Army-knife-3.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20150128152448 (Swiss Army)

                                                    1. Harmonica

    Being straightforward, this is an instrument that can keep myself busy learning and make a broad range of notes to play countless songs. I value “spiritual/emotional” strand of experience with this particular object that will sooth emotional strain I may get while settling in the uncomfortable space. Personally, meditation with music is not an unorthodox method to make myself at home in a new place; therefore, this object is a must-item in my luggage. 

                                                     2. An apple

    Considering the initial imagery of the unknown place as an open forest with no signals, a fruit or vegetable that can be reproduced by my knowledge in horticulture is an essential. This will preserve my life from starving of which the idea connects “physical” part of the Human Experience Model. My need to continue life, and the desire to live healthy encourage planning for farming to fully adapt to the natural environment. 

                                                     3. A vehicle 

    Whether there will be a gas station to fuel the tank or not, I would still take my car for sake of the roof over my head. I desire to be protected, and it’s also a need, relating to a physical and emotional attachment with the object. The overall list communicates my core value is safety that will maintain the healthy status of my physique and mental. 

2015/04/24 - Creative Mornings Stockholm with Lisa Lindström, CEO of Doberman 

Lisa talked about the importance of treating employees within her company to keep the creative spark alive, about the importance of saying yes, and the positive consequences this has brought to her company.

Definition of Doberman´s idea of value, from their website doberman.se : “The foundation for our work is a very simple idea. The more true value for the user – the more true value for the business. And true value for the user can only be achieved through great experiences. This is the very core of our approach – taking products and services from a relevant idea and usable solution to a desirable product and magical experience. That is what we help our clients envision and navigate.”