TOWARDS A BETTER HUMAN CENTRE DESIGN PRACTICE IN AN ACADEMIC CONTEXT
Year: 2023
Editor: Buck, Lyndon; Grierson, Hilary; Bohemia, Erik
Author: De La O Campos, José Rodrigo; Güemes Castorena, David
Series: E&PDE
Institution: School of Architecture, Art, and Design, Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education; Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education, TecLabs, Vice-rectory for Research and Technology Transfer
Section: Responsible innovation in design and engineering education
DOI number: 10.35199/EPDE.2023.36
ISBN: 978-1-912254-19-4
Abstract
Three potential problems in executing human-centered design (HCD) in an academic environment are (i) lack of sensibility and empathy during ethnographic research, (ii) miss interpretation of qualitative data when designing a solution, and (iii) not being able to ensure that the user will implement the solutions. The objective of this study is to employ human-centered design methodologies and social perspectives to improve ergonomics and efficiency and make agriculture work more pleasant in the Chinampas while, at the same time, enhancing HCD educational exercises. This research article describes how to structure and implement HCD strategies with undergraduate design students working with regenerative farmers using challenge-based learning. This study used an ideal-contextual prototyping approach, and for its implementation, a team of experts and professors brought multiple perspectives and approaches to the project, and they were able to steer the students in terms of sensibility, empathy, and data interpretation, so the design students had more than one approach for each design solution. By implementing a dual-prototyping approach (ideal-contextual), the students acquired the required competencies and handed out a working prototype that could generate a positive impact. This study provides an educational model designed to eliminate the potential problems with HCD and to produce high-impact artifacts.
Keywords: human-centered design, regenerative agriculture, educational innovation, prototyping.