Expanding design’s impact on humanity

I’ve formatted this article using a bionic reading style. The aim is to see if using the bionic reading style has made it easier to read. Let me know in the comments if it does. Enjoy

One of the many things I love about design is its constant evolution. This evolution allows us to better solve user problems and deliver improved experiences, whether through the designs and wireframes we create or the way we structure and write content to make information more accessible.

As the world becomes increasingly complex and interconnected, we’re starting to realise that our traditional approaches to design are no longer sufficient.

The next step: humanity-centred design

Human-centred design, user-centred design — whatever you want to call it — needs to evolve. And so enter humanity-centred design, which offers a fresh perspective that broadens our focus from individual user needs to entire communities and ecosystems. As designers, we must begin thinking about these broader contexts, especially if we want to tackle the larger, more challenging problems that impact not just individuals but whole communities and ecosystems. By doing so, we can create more meaningful and sustainable solutions.

What is humanity-centred design?

So, what exactly is humanity-centred design? It’s an approach that pushes us beyond conventional human-centred design by encouraging us to consider the wider human context, not just individual needs.

Humanity-centred design invites us to think about the long-term impact of our design decisions on all humans and the ecosystems we rely on. This approach integrates the needs of society and the environment, promoting solutions that are not only effective but also equitable and sustainable.

The principles of humanity-centred design

From what I’ve learned, there are five key principles of humanity-centred design:

1. Empathy for the collective
   Traditional design often focuses on the end-user, but humanity-centred design encourages us to understand and address the needs of all stakeholders involved — communities, societies, and future generations.
2. Systems thinking
   As designers, we need to see the bigger picture. This means understanding the complex web of interactions in which our designs operate and recognising that our actions can have far-reaching effects beyond the immediate context.
3. Sustainable and regenerative solutions
   Our designs should contribute positively to the environment, aiming not just to reduce harm but to restore and regenerate ecological systems.
4. Inclusivity
   We must ensure that our solutions are accessible and beneficial to all, particularly marginalised and underrepresented communities.
5. Long-term Impact
   We should focus on creating lasting change rather than temporary fixes. This involves anticipating future challenges and ensuring that our designs can adapt to changing conditions.

Why humanity-centred design matters

The world is facing extraordinary challenges — from climate change and biodiversity loss to social inequality and public health crises. Humanity-centred design addresses these issues holistically, considering the interdependencies of human actions and environmental sustainability. It’s about creating solutions that do more than just solve a problem — they improve life for everyone, now and in the future.

Examples of humanity-centred design in action

• Affordable housing projects
  Architectural designs that incorporate green spaces, renewable energy sources, and community conveniences to improve the quality of life for residents while reducing environmental impact.
• Public health initiatives
  Programs that increase accessibility to healthcare services for remote or underserved communities, incorporating local traditions and practices to enhance effectiveness and acceptance.

Getting started with humanity-centred design

1. Engage with communities
   Start by listening. Engage with communities to understand their needs, aspirations, and challenges. Community involvement is crucial for creating solutions that are truly beneficial and sustainable.
2. Collaborate across disciplines
   Bring together experts from diverse fields such as ecology, sociology, public health, and urban planning. Interdisciplinary collaboration enriches the design process and uncovers innovative solutions.
3. Prototype and iterate
   Prototyping allows you to test ideas and refine solutions based on feedback. Iterative design ensures that the final product is well-tuned to the needs of both users and the environment.
4. Measure impact
   Develop metrics to assess the social and environmental impact of your designs. This data is vital for understanding the effectiveness of solutions and guiding future projects.

Humanity-centred design represents a bold shift in how we approach problems and create solutions. By expanding our focus to include the whole of humanity and the natural world, we can create a path toward a more sustainable and equitable future.

As designers, we have a unique responsibility — and the capability — to drive this change, crafting solutions that are as compassionate as they are clever.

Enjoyed this?

Check out my other articles on design.

• Embracing circular design for sustainability
• Why designers should become leaders
• Mythis of the unicorn designer

I hope you enjoyed this article, and if it helped you out, don’t forget to leave a clap or two or drop a comment. You can connect with me on LinkedIn, Medium and BlueSky.

Designing for a better future was originally published in UX Planet on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.