Human-centred design isn't just about aesthetics; it's about creating spaces that work for people. Whether you own a healthcare or office space, the design is crucial to overall health and well-being.
5 minute read
24th September, 2024 | Remarcable
Let's get to the point. Human-centred design isn't just about aesthetics; it's about creating spaces that work for people. Whether you own a healthcare or office space, the design is crucial to overall health and well-being.
At Remarcable Design, we specialise in crafting environments that prioritise human needs. Our approach centres around understanding individuals' desires, behaviours, and needs, and designing spaces that meet those needs effectively. It's about understanding their perspective. This is what human-centred design focuses on. By incorporating elements that promote comfort, safety, and well-being, we create spaces that are not only functional but also inspiring and uplifting.
Neuroscience, the study of the nervous system, has become an invaluable tool in design. By understanding how the human brain processes information, perceives stimuli, and makes decisions, designers can create products, services, and experiences that are more intuitive, engaging, and effective. This intersection of neuroscience and design is known as human-centric design, and it's revolutionising the way we approach problem-solving and innovation.
At the core of human-centric design is the understanding that people are not merely rational beings but are influenced by a complex interplay of emotions, memories, physiological responses, and subconscious processes. Neuroscience provides insights into these processes, helping us to identify patterns, predict reactions, and design experiences that resonate deeply with users.
3 key examples below:
Cognitive Processes play a vital role in how humans interact with the world. These include attention, perception, memory, and decision-making. By studying how the brain processes information, designers can create interfaces that are easy to understand and navigate. For example, knowing how the brain prioritizes visual information leads to more effective layouts and colour schemes.
Emotions are powerful drivers of behaviour. Neuroscience has shown us that emotions influence decision-making, memory, and perception. In healthcare, comfortable, calming environments reduce stress and anxiety for patients and their families, while in office spaces, incorporating nature elements, natural light, and aesthetically pleasing design features creates a more inviting and enjoyable work environment. By designing experiences that evoke positive emotions, we foster a sense of well-being and belonging.
Physiological Responses are essential to our overall health and comfort. Our bodies respond to stimuli in a variety of ways, including changes in heart rate, breathing, and skin conductance. Neuroscience has helped us understand these physiological responses and design experiences that promote physical and mental well-being. In healthcare, deep-cushioned beds and chairs, as well as noise reduction installations will improve patient comfort and sleep quality. In office spaces, ergonomic furniture and circadian lighting will reduce fatigue and discomfort, leading to increased productivity and employee satisfaction.
Human-centric design is more than just a trend; it's a fundamental approach to problem-solving and innovation. Here at Remarcable Design, we focus on crafting spaces that are not only visually appealing but serve a purpose and promote the well-being of their occupants. Through understanding the neuroscience behind human behaviour, we can design truly human-centred environments for meaningful experiences.
As our world becomes increasingly complex and interconnected, the need for human-centered design will only grow more important.
Healthcare: Our design approach for the 9th Banning branch in Canning Town prioritised human-centric design. We focused on harnessing natural light and incorporating biophilic elements to elevate the well-being of its inhabitants. Similarly, for Richmond Physiotherapy in London, a practice offering various specialties, we employed human-centred design principles, colour psychology, and space planning to create a welcoming environment for patients and staff. Both practices have received positive feedback and are confident in their continued success.
Office: Homework, a two-floor office, was designed to incorporate "coffee culture" with flexible workspaces for hybrid users. Our successful formula of work, rest, replenishment, and collaboration guided the design. To maintain their brand identity, we ensured ergonomic furniture and biophilic elements were harmoniously integrated. For Ibis Capital, our human-centred approach led to a bespoke office reception design and build. With a general theme of inspiration to be around the beach and ocean subtly indicating their global success, we incorporated personal design elements, bespoke furniture, artistic elements, and a plant division. Both offices have benefited from a welcoming and personalised experience for their clients, as well as improved team morale.
Human-centred design can significantly impact your bottom line. In healthcare, it can improve patient outcomes and satisfaction. It can attract and retain tenants, boost employee productivity, and enhance brand image in office spaces. Why should you care? Because these positive outcomes directly translate to increased revenue and long-term success.
1. Understand Your Users: To effectively implement a human-centred design, you need to delve deep into the minds and experiences of your users. Who are they? What are their demographics, psychographics, and behaviors? What are their needs and wants? Consider their physical, emotional, and cognitive requirements. How do they use the space? Observe their behaviour and identify any pain points or areas of frustration.
2. Involve Users in the Design Process: Engaging your users throughout the design process is crucial. It ensures that the final product meets their needs. Conduct user research through interviews, surveys, focus groups, and observations to gather valuable insights. Also, create personas that represent your target users, helping you empathise with their perspectives.
3. Take a Holistic Approach: Human-centred design extends beyond individual elements and considers the overall context of the space. Understand the space's purpose and function to ensure that it aligns with the needs of its occupants. Evaluate the impact on overall health and well-being by considering factors such as air quality, lighting, temperature, and acoustics. Prioritise sustainability by minimising environmental impact and promoting resource efficiency.
4. Engage the Services of a Great Interior Designer: A skilled interior designer can bring your user-centered design vision to life. Their expertise and experience in creating functional and aesthetically pleasing spaces can be invaluable. Like us, specialised knowledge of human-centered design principles ensures that the design aligns with user needs. With our network of professionals, we can connect you with engineers, and contractors, customise and personalise the design to ensure that it meets your specific requirements. Also, our expertise in budget management will help you allocate resources effectively.
How do you know if your human-centred design efforts are truly making a difference? While it might seem like an abstract idea, there are tangible ways to measure the impact of your design choices. By tracking these metrics, you can gain valuable insights into the effectiveness of your human-centered design efforts and make data-driven decisions to improve your spaces.
