Don Norman Design Award Summit 2025
Humanity-Centred Design (HCD+): The Future of Education, Business and Community
The DNDA25 Summit brings these ideas to life through four interconnected goals, each informed by the HCD+ approach:
1. Empowering Education
HCD+ nurtures a mindset that tackles root causes, not just symptoms. It promotes systems thinking, encourages consideration for the environment and all living beings, and prioritises human values over technological or financial gain. At every level of education, students are empowered to create meaningful change:
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Primary education introduces young learners to design thinking by encouraging them to solve problems they observe in their everyday lives.
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Secondary education deepens this by helping students explore the systemic nature of global challenges.
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Tertiary education immerses students in real-world projects, often in collaboration with industry and government.
2. Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
Effective infrastructure underpins a well-functioning society. For innovation to succeed, it needs both government support and thoughtful design. HCD+ offers practical insights into how infrastructure and innovation can be developed together, ensuring solutions are sustainable, people-centred and impactful.
3. Sustainable Cities and Communities
As climate change intensifies, communities must be designed for both sustainability and resilience. HCD+ enables more inclusive approaches to infrastructure, urban policy and community planning, helping cities thrive while addressing the needs of their most vulnerable populations.
4. Climate Action
Meaningful climate action requires alignment across education, infrastructure and policy. By placing human values at the centre of strategy and design, HCD+ guides the creation of sustainable business models and policy responses that can endure over time, advancing both environmental and social resilience.
Co-chairs of DNDA25
The DNDA25 Summit reflects how HCD+ can shape a future where education, innovation, sustainability and climate action are harmonised to benefit all.