About
Humanity-Centred Design (HCD+)
What is Humanity-Centred Design (HCD+)?
Humanity-Centred Design (HCD+) is an advanced framework developed by Singapore Polytechnic’s User Experience Centre. It builds on traditional Human-Centred Innovation by integrating a deeper focus on holistic well-being, sustainability, and systemic thinking. HCD+ aims to create innovative solutions that not only meet user needs but also consider broader social, environmental, and organisational impacts. This approach reflects the belief that design should serve humanity as a whole, supporting sustainable progress and ethical innovation.
The Five Principles of HCD+:
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Systems Thinking – Understanding the interconnectedness of elements within a system to create solutions that work effectively in complex environments.
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Holistic Well-Being – Designing with consideration for the physical, mental, social, and environmental health of users and communities.
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Bioinspiration – Prioritising environmentally responsible practices and long-term impact reduction.
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Co-Creation and Inclusivity – Involving diverse stakeholders and users actively throughout the design process to ensure equitable outcomes.
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Continuous Learning and Adaptability – Encouraging iterative design, feedback loops, and flexibility to respond to changing needs and contexts.
Application of HCD+: A Case Study:
An exemplar of HCD+ in practice is Singapore Polytechnic’s own development of the HCD+ Playbook, a practical guide for organisations aiming to embed Humanity-Centred innovation in their culture and processes. Through co-creation workshops, the User Experience Centre collaborated with various stakeholders—including industry partners, academic experts, and end-users—to refine the framework. This inclusive approach ensured the Playbook addressed real challenges, from sustainability to user experience, enabling organisations to assess their innovation readiness and implement human-centred, systemic solutions effectively. The success of this initiative highlights HCD+’s capacity to drive impactful, responsible innovation across sectors.