human-centered design is an iterative design process in which designers focus on the users and their needs in each phase of the design process.

human-centered design focuses on people’s everyday thinking, emotions, and behavior. It is a creative approach to problem-solving that involves the end-user from the very beginning and places them at the center of the digital design process.

human-centered design process

1. Observation

Making assumptions and hypotheses

User research (Who are our users? What are their pain points? etc.)

2. Empathy

Understanding “context of use” (behavioral: where and how, and by whom would the product be used?)

3. Ideation

Asking the right questions

4. Personas

Empathy maps

Customer journey maps

ketching and ideating

Rapid Prototyping - designing and testing solutions

User Feedback - User Testing

User testing and validation (does the product solve a problem?)

Usability testing (is the product actually usable by people?)

5. Iteration

6. Implementation

Better understanding of the problem.

Allows rapid testing and validation of story concepts before time consuming coding.

Provides a clear, sociable visual representation of the project vision.

Provides usability by stealth.

Engaging the end user as a customer.

Improves basis for estimation.

Mitigates project risk.