User Centered Design (UCD) is an iterative design approach that places the needs, wants, and limitations of end-users at the center of the design process. The goal of UCD is to create products, services, or systems that are intuitive, efficient, and effective for their intended users.

UCD involves a deep understanding of the users’ needs, goals, and behavior, as well as their context and environment. This understanding is gathered through user research techniques such as interviews, observations, and surveys. Once this information is collected, designers use it to inform the design of the product, service, or system.

Problems with visual design can turn users off so quickly that they never discover all the smart choices you made with navigation or interaction design.

Jesse James Garrett

UCD is an iterative process that involves testing and refining the design with users, and then repeating the process until the design meets the needs and expectations of its intended users. UCD is used in a variety of industries and applications, including software and app development, web design, product design, and architecture.

Process

Typically involves the following steps:

1. Research and Analysis: The first step is to gain a deep understanding of the users, their needs, goals, behaviors, and context. This is typically done through user research techniques such as interviews, observations, and surveys.
2. User Personas: Based on the user research, designers create user personas, which are fictional characters that represent the different types of users and their needs.
3. Requirements Gathering: Based on the user research and user personas, designers define the requirements for the product, service, or system.
4. Design: Using the requirements, designers create an initial design of the product, service, or system. This may involve sketching, wireframing, or creating a prototype.
5. Usability Testing: Once the initial design is created, usability testing is conducted to evaluate the design and identify any issues or areas for improvement. This may involve conducting user tests or user surveys.
6. Iteration: Based on the feedback received from usability testing, the design is refined and improved. This process of testing and refining is repeated until the design meets the needs and expectations of its intended users.
7. Implementation: Once the design is finalized, it is implemented in the final product, service, or system.
8. Post-Launch Evaluation: After the product, service, or system is launched, designers continue to evaluate its effectiveness and usability, and make improvements as needed. This may involve gathering feedback from users or analyzing usage data.

User Centered Design is an iterative process that may involve multiple rounds of testing and refinement. The goal is to create a product, service, or system that is user-friendly, efficient, and effective for its intended users.

User Centered Design vs Design Thinking

User-Centered Design (UCD) and Design Thinking are two related but distinct approaches to design that are often used in conjunction with each other. Here are some of the key differences between the two:

1. Focus: UCD focuses on the needs and goals of the end-user, while Design Thinking focuses on identifying and solving complex problems.
2. Process: UCD is a structured, iterative process that involves user research, design, and testing. Design Thinking is a more flexible, non-linear process that involves empathy, ideation, prototyping, and testing.
3. Tools and Techniques: UCD relies heavily on user research techniques such as interviews, surveys, and observations, while Design Thinking uses a variety of tools and techniques such as brainstorming, mind mapping, and empathy mapping.
4. Scope: UCD is often used in the design of specific products, services, or systems, while Design Thinking can be applied to a wide range of problems and challenges.
5. Mindset: Design Thinking emphasizes a creative, open-minded approach to problem-solving, while UCD places a stronger emphasis on data and research-driven decision-making.

Overall, User Centered Design and Design Thinking share many similarities and are often used together in the design process. Both approaches prioritize understanding the needs and goals of users and emphasize the importance of testing and iteration in the design process.