The future has already arrived.
It’s just not evenly distributed yet.
William Gibson
The HCD Alliance model visualizes humanity’s innovative potential in solving our toughest challenges.
It focuses on working together, not on what divides us.
This innovative potential can be reached when professionals of these various fields collaborate closely together. This model shows many of the fields and disciplines that take a human-centric approach, where they intersect with one another, and the possible innovation that can result when we collaborate with one another.
This model assumes that we can find a way to work through that which holds us back - our own egos and need to be seen as “the one and only.”
Our future only improves through smarter collaboration, not further divisions.
This model was born as a brainchild to visualize the innovative potential that exists and can be reached when professionals of these various fields collaborate together.
This model illustrates the neighboring fields and disciplines from which many migrate when shifting into a role identified as Human-Centered Design (HCD)and/or User Experience (UX).
This also visualizes the fields of practice that may help a UX professional to broaden their understanding of larger dynamics in effect with the challenges they’re asked to solve.
The more complex the problem, the more crucial it is to join forces with ally fields, swallow egos, squash the exhausting impossibility of trying to know and do it all individually, and embrace the good we can do together.
It is my utmost desire that we find a way to focus less on the actual titles of what we do - less on divisions that separate us from each other - and more on what we can do together towards understanding and overcoming challenges thatwe all face.
A sole hero burns out far too quickly, but an alliance unifies, strategizes, and strives together towards solutions that transcend.
Goals of the HCD Alliance Model
The HCD Alliance Model focuses on the intersection of the three fields that come together to represent the unique perspective of UX - Psychology, Design and Science - and digs deeper into what’s represented within and near those intersections.
Explaining those dynamics was something I could verbally share with others; however, I knew that if I could find a way to visualize the concept, even better!
One of the unexpected but brilliant results while roughing out this model was how many intersections could be considered. While researching these intersections, I discovered others’ shared experiences of friction around ownership that often prevents these areas from collaboration.
In my own experience, I’ve noticed similar friction. When the work I do shares some similarities with other roles, I’ve often been met with fear that I’ll somehow take over their role as well. It seems to be human nature to protect what we have at all cost - often despite revelatory insights for a better future.
When, in reality, we all get more - SO MUCH MORE - when we’re successful together.
Entire Model
The golden shield shape in the middle is intentionally placed to show the core considerations.
Human-centered disciplines don’t belong solely to those in formal UX positions. HCD is mentioned most often around UX and the various specialties within it (e.g. Information Architecture, Research, Analytics, Strategy, Design, Content).
But, beyond that, are other known HCD allies, including Business Analysts, Technical Leads, Business Intelligence, Change Management, Enterprise Architecture, Product Owners, Knowledge Management, Marketing - all who often work side-by-side with HCD/UX folks as they tend to benefit greatly from insights UX uncovers.
The three top “change-makers” are each dynamic in their own rights: cognitive science where observed behavior always trumps relayed stories, data visualization to simplify complexity and focus on the right thing, and design thinking for everything else!
The three topmost qualities we should seek in any solution are those that determine success with humanity: usability, accessibility, and never-to-be-overlooked desirability.
What about the middle?
Ah! The intersection APEX.
The very center of the HCD Alliance Model is the point at which anything truly amazing can happen.
Here is where my model dances with the spiritual & universally transcendent.
We will each have a different term that resonates, based upon our perspectives and bias, our unique background, our culture, our genetic heritage, and our personal experiences that have shaped us to this present time.
There are no doubt other words, but these are some of the ones I’ve pulled from the present-day English language.
No matter what, embrace the potential that exists! May we continually seek and find others to be part of ourhuman-centered design alliance!
