Human-Centered Design (HCD) is not just a process; it’s a transformative journey. It’s a set of techniques that we use to craft innovative solutions for the communities and challenges we encounter. The ‘human-centered’ aspect of HCD is fundamental because it all begins with a profound understanding of the people we aim to serve. The HCD journey commences by delving into the needs, dreams, and behaviors of the individuals we intend to impact with our solutions. We are committed to listening, understanding, and empathizing with their aspirations and concerns.

Our approach to HCD is guided by three critical lenses: Desirability, Feasibility, and Viability. These lenses ensure that the solutions we create are not just desirable and aligned with the aspirations of the community but also practical and sustainable in the long run.

At Engineers Without Borders, we embrace HCD as a compass that guides our mission to engineer a brighter, more equitable future. Join us in this transformative journey, where innovation meets empathy, and together, we build a world that truly serves everyone.

Engineers Without Borders South Africa (EWBSA) is committed to applying Human-Centered Design (HCD) as a foundational principle across all our initiatives and projects. We believe that HCD is not just a tool but a way of thinking and problem-solving that should permeate every aspect of our work. This commitment extends to training young engineers through our student chapters across the country, ensuring that the next generation of engineers is well-versed in HCD methodologies and approaches.

Moreover, we’ve established a robust participation framework that encourages volunteers to actively engage with our projects, offering their support while also learning from the process. This framework creates a collaborative environment where diverse perspectives come together to co-create solutions that truly address the needs and aspirations of the communities we serve. At EWBSA, HCD is not just a concept; it’s a living, breathing practice that guides our actions and drives meaningful impact.

At Engineers Without Borders, we believe in the power of HCD because it is one of the proven methods that allows innovation to meet empathy head-on. It’s not just a design approach; it’s a transformative philosophy that enables us to forge deeper connections with the people we serve. HCD empowers us to identify new opportunities that can turn raw data and insights into actionable ideas, driving positive change in the communities we work with.

Engineers are not just problem solvers; they are the future designers, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, and thought leaders of our world. By equipping the next generation of engineers with the HCD process and methodologies, we ensure that they are ‘future-ready.’ They’ll not only possess the technical prowess but also the crucial ability to design solutions that resonate with the diverse needs of our global community.

South Africa boasts a unique blend of socio-economic circumstances shaped by years of racial segregation, historical conflicts between race, class, and culture, and ongoing gender inequality. It’s high time for a change. We firmly believe in embracing our diversity, fostering collaboration, and collectively transforming the future of our country. This transformation can be ignited by equipping our engineers with the core values of HCD, including empathy and the essential tools to gain a deep understanding of community needs.