Introduction to Human-Centered Design

Discover how to put users first through the fundamentals of human-centered design for your product development.

Overview

Human-centered design (HCD) is a mindset that approaches problem-solving with a focus on the users. It requires that projects begin from a place of empathy to make sure what’s created is something people need. The goal of HCD is a product or service that meets these needs in the long run or seeks to improve the experience of something already in existence.

This human-centered design course will teach you techniques and tools for staying user-centered. You will learn a straightforward process for inspiration, ideation, and implementation and work through the practical application of an HCD process - even if “design” is not part of your job title.

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Full course details

Course outline

Introduction: What are the ways to use Human-Centered Design if I’m not a Designer?

  1. HCD Overview and Origination
  2. Different models
  3. Why the user is so important
  4. Exercise: Identify current company problems that could be addressed with an HCD approach.

Step 1: Inspiration

  1. The beginner's mindset is key
  2. Learning from users
  3. Throwing away assumptions
  4. Staying open to the possibilities
  5. Cultivating curiosity
  6. What people think, say, and do.
  7. Interview techniques
  8. Sitting with your ideas
  9. Exercise: Identifying your user
  10. Exercise: The discovery process

Step 2: Ideation

  1. Collecting your ideas
  2. Removing the limits
  3. Why “ridiculous” is a good thing
  4. Brainstorming has a bad rap
  5. Keeping it simple
  6. Building on ideas
  7. Establishing a shared framework
  8. Solution-focused, not problem-focused
  9. How to “see” an idea
  10. Keeping the users involved
  11. When to cut your loss
  12. Exercise: How to build on ideas

Stage 3: Implementation

  1. Delivery
  2. Pilot testing
  3. Iteration
  4. Continued feedback
  5. Determining long-term impact
  6. Measuring the impact
  7. Exercise: Tips to evaluate and measure

Practical Application

  1. Getting starting with a micro project
  2. Evaluating a menu of ideas
  3. Getting buy-in
  4. Tips for testing
  5. Exercise: How to have better meetings

Why HCD Matters

  1. Reduce Risk
  2. Create what people truly need
  3. Stay User Focused
  4. Think outside YOUR box
  5. Minimize confusion
Audience / prerequisites

This human-centered design course is designed for product teams and designers seeking to develop better products that solve the real-world problems of their customers. Some titles that may find this course particularly beneficial include:

  • Product Designers
  • Product Managers
  • Product Developers
  • Product Owners
  • UX Designers
  • UX Researchers
  • Customer Experience Strategists
  • Service Designers
  • Instructional Designers
  • Corporate Strategists
  • Product/Business Analysts
In this class you will learn how to
  • Accelerate your discovery and innovation process
  • Better understand your customers and their needs and desires
  • Increase your company's competitive advantage
  • Reduce risk by designing for agile development
  • Design products that both improve people’s lives and improves your bottom line

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