Thinking On Paper Technology Podcast Humanity-Centered Design (By The Man Who Invented It)
Don Norman gives the clearest, most accessible explanation of humanity centered design there is. He invented the concept, after all.
In this Thinking On Paper short, the Godfather of Design lays out the foundations of why design must expand beyond the individual user and account for society, the planet, and long-term impact.
The core idea is simple: designing for individual users is no longer enough. “What’s wrong,” he says, “is what’s left out.”
Every digital product relies on a physical product. Power systems, infrastructure, data centers, electricity. You can’t ignore these systems when designing a new product.
Designers need to widen their frame. Traditional human-centered overlooks environmental and social consequences.
The hidden costs of digital technology show up far from your phone, laptop, car or magic pen.
Humanity Centered Design teams work with communities instead of imposing solutions. They focus on long-term impact more than short-term convenience.
- Efficiency isn’t always a virtue.
- Simple metrics distort real outcomes
- Responsible design must consider ecosystems
Don Norman is a legend. He argues that the future of design depends on understanding how products influence society, policy, and the planet, not just usability.
The conversation moves from principles to practice: what sustainable design looks like, how to design without repeating “colonial” patterns, and how to build technology that strengthens communities instead of weakening them.
“We’re all together,” Norman says, summing up his approach.
The responsibility is collective, and so is the impact.
Please enjoy the show.
And share it with a friend.
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