Why Human-Centered Design matters

This article explains that the author uses the intriguing tale of W.K. Kellogg's creation of
cornflakes to examine the significance of Human-Centered Design (H.C.D. The path of Kellogg
highlights the critical importance of user-centered thinking, iterative prototyping, and holistic
design in producing successful products, providing a powerful illustration of HCD principles.

The first section of the article tells the story of Kellogg's accidental discovery of cornflakes,
which resulted from his honest desire to offer his brother's hospital patients a more palatable
breakfast alternative. This initial drive embodies the principles of HCD, which give users' needs
and experiences top priority throughout the design process.

One of the fundamental concepts of H.C.D., as described in Kellogg's account in the article, is
iterative prototyping. It took Kellogg some time to find the perfect cornflake recipe. Instead, he
continually tried out new formulas and tested them on his brother's patients, gradually perfecting
the medication based on feedback from actual patients. This iterative approach highlights the
need of user involvement and ongoing improvement in the design process, which is a key
element of H.C.D.

The article adopts a strategy similar to that of W.K. Kellogg more than a century ago,
highlighting the value of early user involvement, ongoing prototyping for learning, and the
adoption of a design-driven approach in all facets of the product journey. It inspires
businesspeople to follow these guidelines in order to develop revolutionary product experiences.

Ernesto Sirolli: Want to help someone? Shut up and listen! In this video, Ernesto Sirolli talks
about a fresh set of rules for helping someone. If you want to help someone, you should resist
the urge to offer and find solutions for him. You have to listen and understand what someone's
goal is. And when he asks for help, only then you help him find the knowledge or the means,
which will lead to his goal. If someone doesn't have a goal or a passion, you can't help him.
Ernesto Sirolli emphasizes the first and the most important rule of help, which is respect.
Through this talk I've learned the best components in community development - knowing the
condition of the local community from the local people; develop the community from the idea of
the local people; encourage participation of the local people from the well-known to the
unknown; facilitate participation and cooperation of the needy and committed local people only