#empathic design

[caittaylor]

Visual Diary 6: Tools in Action #2

Both Feedback & Continuous Improvement and a Questioning Mindset are two important abstract tools in design leadership, and some that I need to focus on and gain more skill in. Baggu was a company that came to mind when I thought of these tools. They have been around and creating reusable bags since 2007, which is a good 17 years so you know in that time they had to utilize many design tools. Sustainability has also been a focus of theirs, and they even mention on their website that as they’ve grown  as a company they work towards addressing how to be more sustainable. Members from their Design, Production, Operations, Marketing and Brand departments meet to identify new ways and opportunities for growth and improvement within the company. Together they are asking questions that create a focus and inspire change, and in these meetings there has to be an openness to feedback and the want to constantly seek improvement. 

[kmw302]

Modern architecture and infrastructure found in South Korea and Japan are excellent examples of human centric design leadership.

[hayleymorodesign]

Bridging the Gap: Second Ethnographic Interview

For the purpose of my second interview, I made a deliberate effort to broaden my insights and gain a deeper understanding of the perspective of another vulnerable group - specifically, parents of young children. To achieve this, I sought out and recruited a breastfeeding mother with a newborn baby as my interviewee.

To create an optimal setting for the interview, I extended an invitation to a local mutual friend who had recently become a mother. I warmly welcomed her into my home, ensuring that she felt completely at ease and comfortable in her surroundings. By establishing this safe and inviting environment, she felt more inclined to candidly share her thoughts, tensions, and frustrations with me.

During the interview, I probed into her personal experiences and the challenges she encountered when utilizing public restrooms with her newborn. I was particularly interested in understanding her perspective on whether she faced any difficulties in finding a private and comfortable space for breastfeeding. She expressed how the lack of suitable facilities often forced her to resort to uncomfortable and inconvenient alternatives. Through the use of open-ended questions, I encouraged her to express her emotions and thoughts freely, allowing for a more comprehensive exploration of her experiences. Yours creatively, HM

[cay-rob]

Visual Diary 14 - Highlights

Post #1

This course really opened my mind up to a different way to approach the design process. As a design leader, there a lot of things to consider when leading and designing. This project has helped me tap into a new level of my creativity and has really helped me grow my confidence in pitching my ideas more. I’m not quite at the point where I feel I can completely lead a whole design project but I’m confident I am on the right path and will be able to soon. I have never really noticed how much research can go into a design project (maybe I just didn’t realize because I wasn’t the one doing it) but now it’s clear how important and necessary it is. I may not actually see my problem for this project to be solved in the real world but the things I have learned from metaphorically solving it will be applied else where and help me solve an actual one.

[sydneykarlockvisualdiary]

Visual Diary #12 - Design Leadership - Tesla -P2

Tesla, the pioneer of electric vehicles and renewable energy practices responsible design leadership while balancing financial, societal, and environmental impacts. Their most well-known product, the electric vehicle is environmentally friendly and aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. They are constantly working to improve the product and develop ranges to be more inclusive and affordable for a broader range of people. Lastly, the benefits of tesla products and their fight against climate change can lead to societal benefits such as more jobs and cleaner air.

[stormdiary]

Visual Diary 10 - Instances of Putting a Stake in the Ground

Post #2

One of my favorite things is when people find alternate uses for things. Depending on the degree of impact, these design choices demonstrate a stake in the ground. One large example of this is The High Line in New York City. This park used to be an elevated train track that went out of use in the 1980s. Many consider elevated train tracks to be a visual blight in urban landscapes, removing access to sunlight and creating noise pollution. The design choice, and stake in the ground, to repurpose and reclaim this space towards nature and inspiration (many spaces along The High Line are used for art installations), we see an expanded view of what it means to live in a big city.

Image Source: https://www.timeout.com/newyork/parks/highline

[alishavisualdiary]

Visual Diary 3 Post 2: Slip-On Shoes

My second example of a human-centered product is slip-on shoes. Pictured above are slip-on Vans (just one example of many slip-on shoes on the market), which I personally really enjoy wearing.

There are countless ways that a shoe could be made more innovative, visually or technically, with new materials or unique silhouettes. Slip-on shoes, on the other hand, focus less on flashy innovation and instead are a simple, understated product that meets a lot of otherwise unmet human shoe needs. I think it's a great example of empathic design, as it appeals to human needs, of course, but also to human constraints and practices. Slip-on shoes offer convenience to busy people who must rush out the door. Slip-on shoes make independence possible for those who perhaps have mobility issues that make tying shoelaces a challenge. It is a simple product that helps people achieve these human needs of convenience and independence.

[dailykroutines]

Visual Diary 14

One thing I want to take with me is being intentional with how I connect with the audience I am creating for. We get caught up in the idea of what we want to do and we forget to gain an understanding of those we do it for. I want to be sure I never forget that changing the world involves everyone in some way.

[designleadershipcdnm]

Visual Diary 13

I visited NYC last year and was fortunate enough to visit the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum and see their DESIGNING PEACE exhibit. A little about the exhibit:

From activists, scholars, and architects to policymakers and graphic, game, and landscape designers, Designing Peace flips the conversation: peace is not simply a passive state signifying the absence of war, it is a dynamic concept that requires effort, expertise, and multidimensional solutions to address its complexity.

The journey to peace is certainly a wicked problem. This exhibit highlights how design can be a force for good in the world. This is somewhat meta, butbI particularly love the design of this exhibit and how it calls and inspires individuals to action and engages them in the conversation. We can all be designers in our own way/roles. While it's a complex problem, we aren't helpless in the solution and we all have a part to play. Definitely recommend you check it out!

[callmejulesrai]

Snoga Athletics

Snoga Athletics is a modest athletic company supporting individuals who live a modest lifestyle due to either religion or cultural beliefs. The company offers items from long skorts, swimming apparel, headwear, and high-coverage items.

As most athletic wear isn’t necessarily ‘modest’, it is absolutely necessary for those who do live a modest lifestyle to not have to sacrifice their beliefs for the sake of working out or being active.

Cultural parameters should never be broken and should always be honored. We should always respect and embrace cultural differences in the sake of design.

[caittaylor]

Visual Diary 3: Human Centered Design

Fitbit is clear on letting the user know that their products are all about them. They state that their products are “designed to keep you close to your goals, boost motivation and show your progress on your health and fitness journey.” Keeping track of calories burned, and steps taken is complicated and can take time, so having a product that can easily do it for you is definitely a human centered design. It works with the user in mind. 

[kmw302]

I was sitting here looking for inspiring examples of human centered design when I realized I’m sitting in one. I’m visiting my sister for a few days and she stays in a fifth wheel camper. Looking around, there are many thoughtful features that show an understanding of a human’s daily needs. The space is very customizable and can be altered easily to fit whatever the person using the camper needs most. For example, the dining room nook off of the kitchen features a small but spacious table that can easily be folded to reveal more floor/storage space. The bathroom has cabinets that can be used for towel and linen storage, clothes hanging, or a washer and dryer can be installed. The living room furniture is well secured for moving days but it is also fairly easy to take out. My sister has taken one of her couches out so she can install a wardrobe since she does not entertain many people at once and she owns a lot of clothes.

I think these features focus more on the needs of the user than the aesthetic or form of the design itself.

[hayleymorodesign]

The Rare Beauty of Human-Centered Design

Recently, I've become a huge fan of Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez. Not just because the makeup is beautiful, but because of the brand's focus on inclusivity. This brand stands as a shining testament to human-centered design in the realm of cosmetics, exuding a philosophy deeply rooted in the human experience rather than a pure design-centric approach.

Celebrating Diversity of Shades: Rare Beauty not only provides an extensive spectrum of shades, but it also caters to diversity. This is not just about expanding the product range; it is a direct affirmation of the uniqueness of every complexion. The brand does not aim to fit individuals into standardized molds; it seeks to empower individuals to embrace their distinctive beauty.

Elegance in Simplicity: Rare Beauty introduces subtle yet impactful design features that inadvertently cater to individuals with dexterity challenges. Consider their liquid highlighters and blushes; the applicators sport an unobtrusive spherical top, transforming an otherwise standard component into an accessibility enabler. Similarly, the packaging employs ergonomic forms that enhance grip, and their lipsticks and lip balms are ingeniously designed to prevent unsolicited rolls. It is a thoughtful nod to inclusivity, subtly embedded in their design philosophy.

Selena's Personal Touch: Selena Gomez, the driving force behind Rare Beauty, brings a deeply personal dimension to the brand. Her own experience with lupus, a condition that can impact joint mobility, informs and inspires many design choices. Witnessing her use Rare Beauty products despite these challenges underscores the brand's commitment to being authentically human-centered. It is not just makeup; it is a tool for confidence and empowerment.

A Pledge to Progress: Rare Beauty openly acknowledges that there is room for further improvement in accessibility. They actively seek new ways to enhance their designs, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to ongoing refinement and advancement in the name of inclusivity.

In conclusion, Rare Beauty is an impressive example of human-centered design in the cosmetics industry. It transcends the mere pursuit of aesthetics and sales, focusing instead on empowering individuals, fostering inclusivity, and recognizing the unique needs of their diverse clientele. Rare Beauty serves as a poignant reminder that design should serve as a conduit for enhancing the human experience, making the world a more inclusive and beautiful place for all. Yours creatively, HM

[janaizhaplusdesign]

Above is a photo of my mother. I wanted to understand smartphone addiction from the perspective of a parent. It was uncovered that electronics provided a distraction for parents to complete tasks that were otherwise impossible without them.

[cay-rob]

A school I’ve worked on many projects at for work

[anim-ttrpgs]

"Empath" investigator Trait from Eureka: Investigative Urban Fantasy. Investigators are give 3 to 6 Traits.