Towards a better Human Centred Design practice in an Academic Context

ABSTRACT

This paper addresses potential challenges in executing human-centred design (HCD) in an academic environment, focusing on (i) lack of sensibility and empathy in ethnographic research, (ii) misinterpretation of qualitative data in solution design, and (iii) uncertainty in user implementation. The study aims to enhance HCD education and improve ergonomics and efficiency in Chinampas agriculture through social perspectives. It describes the implementation of HCD strategies with undergraduate design students using challenge-based learning, employing an ideal-contextual prototyping approach. Experts and professors provided diverse perspectives and guided students in sensibility, empathy, and data interpretation, resulting in multiple approaches for each design solution. The dual-prototyping approach facilitated the acquisition of competencies, leading to a working prototype with a potential positive impact. This educational model addresses HCD challenges and fosters the creation of high-impact artifacts.

Keywords: human-centered design, regenerative agriculture, educational innovation, prototyping.