TECHNOLOGY / USER-CENTRIC

Putting People First: The Importance of Human-centred Design in Creating Impactful Products and Services


5 min read

With life moving quickly around us succeeding in designing offers that genuinely connect with customers – who happen to be humans themselves – is crucially essential nowadays. 

One such technique which significantly improves our ability to do so is called the “human-centric approach” (HCA). By keeping people at its foundation HCA ensures our offerings meet user expectations while catering well to their unique needs.

In this article, we’ll explore the importance of HCA backed by a slew of case studies where it has been put to good use in developing ground-breaking customer solutions.

 

3 Most important components to consider while designing Human- centred design

Creating User-Focused Solutions:
Empathy is a fundamental tenet of human-centred design which enables designers to understand user requirements holistically. By connecting with users on an emotional level, designers can conceptualize products addressing the core needs of individuals along with adding true value to their lives.

Empathetically designed solutions demonstrate higher chances of success while effectively meeting customer demands as proven by research studies.

Inclusive Design:
The human-centred design puts inclusivity front and centre. By designing for all types of users, products and services are made accessible to the greatest number of people possible. Inclusivity leads to creative and versatile product offerings that can be appreciated by a wide spectrum of users beyond just those with disabilities.

Iterative Design Process:
No successful product comes out of a vacuum – it takes a lot of trial and error to refine an idea into something that truly meets user needs. The iterative design process enables designers to test their concepts repeatedly taking valuable input from actual users. The result? A highly effective finished product that draws on the experiences of those who know it best.

Real-World Examples:
Innovation-minded companies can derive significant benefits from adopting human-centred design approaches when creating new products or services. This strategy proved fruitful for Airbnb when they incorporated HCD principles into the redesign of their online platform.

Through user research methods, such as focus groups and surveys the company was able to identify problem areas while simultaneously implementing solutions that improved customer satisfaction rates.

Another successful example comes from tech giant Apple’s development process for the Apple Watch; by centering its design approach around user needs rather than aesthetics or technical specifications alone, it succeeded in producing something elegant looking while catering to users’ crucial demands like fitness tracking.

 

The future is now

Imagine a 3D virtual shopping website that offers a consolidated experience of Harry Potter and real-life brands such as Nike and H&M. This website allows users to purchase limited-edition products for use in both virtual and real life, complete with a loyalty-based scheme in which brands partner with intellectual property(IP) to offer customers exceptional experiences.

This immersive web-based platform offers an enhanced purchasing journey, where users can interact with the digital product they’re buying and receive real-world rewards.

The Fashion District Project

The internet has evolved from its basic 1.0 version (Imagine the year 2000) to the social 2.0 era (Imagine the year 2020), and now it’s time for the 3.0 or 3D era (The future 2030). But let’s face it, browsing through static .jpg images of products and clicking on 2D photos to buy them is a stale and uninspiring experience. It’s time for a shopping revolution!

Virtual websites provide a more engaging and immersive user experience compared to traditional 2D websites. With a 360-degree perspective, users can view products from all angles and interact with them in a more natural and intuitive way.

Amazon

Lowes

Additionally, virtual websites can offer personalized recommendations and promotions based on user behaviour and preferences, increasing the likelihood of conversion and customer loyalty. This level of customization cannot be found on traditional 2D websites; it makes sense that future online shopping will move towards this approach.

Brands can also create unforgettable experiences by using gamification and storytelling techniques within their virtual platforms. Take Harry Potter wizarding world-themed website as an example – customers can interact with beloved characters while they shop; this level of immersion certainly creates loyal customers.

Did you know that offering augmented reality (AR) experiences can significantly increase your chances of making a sale? According to Houzz research, it shows that 68% of consumers are more likely to purchase from retailers who offer AR. Plus with an estimated 3.4 billion AR-enabled smartphones by 2023 the potential market for AR in retail is huge!

In fact, e-commerce brands that utilize 3D technology on their platforms see a 30% increase in conversions and a staggering 300% higher engagement from buyers.

 

Overview

Incorporating human-centred design into our product development processes is crucial for creating impactful products and services that resonate with users. By placing emphasis on understanding user needs and desires designers can create versatile products that cater to a wider audience base.

Designers also have the ability to learn from user feedback through an iterative process and make improvements based on real-life usage scenarios which results in better overall outcomes; incorporating empathy and inclusivity during this process ultimately makes these products accessible to everyone regardless of background or circumstance too!

The successful implementation of human-centred designs like 3D virtual shopping websites proves their potential value in engaging users’ interest fully. Ultimately putting people first is the key to designing successful products.

 

Feel like sharing? Here you go.

Community / Sustainability

Zero Waste Heroes: A Case Study in Community-Led Waste Reduction

. 3 min read

Branding / MARKETING

Decoding the Color Pink- From Barbie to Meaning

. 6 min read



View All