Human-Centered Design (HCD) is a liberal arts framework that centers around creative problem solving. It draws from Anthropology, Sociology, Psychology, Behavioral Economics, Art, Improvisational Theater, and Engineering. At its core is the ability to empathize, define specific human needs, generate large numbers of ideas to meet those needs, create successive prototypes, and test the prototypes to learn more about what is really needed.
Human-centered designers fall in love with problems rather than solutions and expect to be wrong before they create something truly worthwhile. They navigate between the real and the abstract and between understanding and making. The practice requires collaboration between experts in multiple disciplines; it is sometimes referred to as design thinking and is best applied to ambiguous problems that do not have right answers.
Collaborating in a diverse team and utilizing a human-centered mindset can be an extraordinary and valuable opportunity for students who desire to continue to work in diverse interdisciplinary teams across a wide range of fields after graduation.
<aside> 💡 In order to pursue a major, minor, sequence, or concentration in Human-Centered Design you'll need to self-design a program of study - and the process for this depends on which college in the consortium you attend.
If a self-designed major is something you are interested in, you need to first take Intro to Human-Centered Design. After completion of Design Project 2 (midway through the semester), you can complete your Hive HCD self-designed major proposal (template below).
This proposal will need to be approved by a Hive faculty advisor (Fred Leichter, Shannon Randolph, or Asha Srikantiah) - who will meet with you to discuss - before you can confirm declaring your course of study. **Note, this proposal is separate from (and in addition to) the paperwork you will need to complete with your home college.
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Helpful Links & Templates:
HCD Major Proposal Template_Fall2023.pdf
Design research classes allow you to practice gathering data, performing research, practicing empathy work, and learning from historical and theoretical examples. Classes of this type can include qualitative research, quantitative research, empathy, and design theory.
Design practice classes help you hone your skills in the craft of design. We define "design" very broadly, to include: visual design & art, engineering, storytelling, and systems design.
For a list of classes that fit under Design Research or Design Practice, see this class list which contains classes that students have found useful in building their HCD toolbox. To learn more about the categories of classes, check out this page.
It’s also important to note that you don’t need to have HCD as a part your degree to have it be a meaningful part to your education. Taking classes that expand your skills in design research, empathy, prototyping, and iteration will likely be useful regardless of whether HCD is listed as your major, minor, or concentration.
The self-designed major is the most intensive to petition for and requires 10+ classes. The basic requirements for the major are: