Video Reflection: David Kelley: Human centred design

The video of David Kelley discussing the concept of Human centred design provides any designer with an insight into current product developments in the design world. Kelley’s discussion informs his audience how his company has moved to focusing on designing products with personality and behaviour. Early in the presentation a heart defibulator is shown which is an important product that has saved many people from dying from heart failure. This development has enabled busy, public places such as shopping centres and airports to have access to portable defibulators that can be used by first aid officers if required before ambulance assistance has arrived. The advanced technology can analyse the patient’s condition and inform the first aider with step by step instructions on how to keep the patient in a stable condition until emergency assistance can take over.


In the video Kelley talks about how the new philosophy of “Human Centred Design” has changed the way his company communicates their new developments. Previous presentation methods used were 3D models and computer rendered designs but the new age in design requires communication to go one step further. Kelley explains that the products are actually created and captured in function by “internal video production groups”. This is very much a new discovery and provides a much more accurate interpretation of how the products will interact with the consumer. An example of the technology is shown, where Prada New York uses a system with “RF Tags” to enable staff to provide a higher standard of customer service within the store. All items are tagged so that they can be scanned and information on the products can be displayed on screens within the stores. There are also scanners present in the change rooms to allow customers to learn more about the items while trying them on.


Another project that Kelley showed, involved an office team creating a small, cubical workspace within their building to discover the difficulties workers faced within these conditions. Different groups experiment with how different designs would benefit or impact on the worker. The idea is to make the cubical “more human”. The final design that the team produced was a welcoming space with series of cut outs within the walls to provide storage space. The workspace was inviting due to the use of the vibrant orange and items such as a fish tank, interactive flower and hammock. This design gave me an insight into how the working condition of an office worker can affect their overall mood at work and in result their efficiency to complete tasks.


This video would be a benefit to any industrial designer as it conveys products that are designed based on the emerging philosophy of “human centred design”. Kelley illustrates developments in technology used to communicate these new products to people within the industry as well as the general public.