About
The HCD Lab started with a question:
"Instead of telling people about human-centered design,
what if I created a space for people to
?"
The Full Story
I frequently work in spaces where people are unfamiliar with human-centered design (HCD), design thinking, or innovation. In these environments, people often prefer the status quo over embracing new approaches because change is difficult and uncertainty is risky. I truly believe creative approaches like HCD can foster stronger collaboration and better outcomes than traditional methods. It was up to me to bridge the gap to introduce these folks to a different way.
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My hypothesis is that if people from different industries across design and non-design fields could connect with one another and experience design methods through hands-on practice, their perspectives would be changed.Talking about HCD can pique curiosity, but rarely more than that. I wanted to leave a lasting impression on people and inspire them to think differently about the way they approached their work. Talking wouldn't be enough—I needed a way for them to experience what I was talking about. Creativity, collaboration, and human-centered design would no longer be vague buzz words—they would be tangible principles that people would want to bring into their lives. This is why I created the HCD Lab and ​I invite you to join me on this journey.
Evan Chan
Goals
The strength of this community is the people in it. A "member" of the HCD Lab is any professional who wants to be part of this community. There are no membership fees or benefits that only certain people enjoy. If you come to an event and want to be part of this community, then you're a member!
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We believe that there is substantial expertise already in this community. We strive to share that knowledge by facilitating interesting combinations of people and providing structure and support to host events that benefit the whole community. We warmly invite all members to contribute to this community!
F O R A T T E N D E E S
Connect
Meet with professionals from a wide variety of backgrounds and form meaningful, lasting connections
Learn
Learn and practice design + innovation-related skills that are applicable in a wide array of contexts
F O R F A C I L I T A T O R S
Collaborate
Collaborate with and learn from people they otherwise might not cross paths with
Experiment
Test out new approaches and stretch into new areas of expertise in a no-risk space
Shift Perspectives
Open people's eyes to new concepts or ways of thinking and working