When designing new models, we cannot focus only on people (Human-centered design). We must focus on humanity, which means understanding that we are part of the planet's ecosystem. Humanity-centered design, in this example, means seeing the bees and their problems.

1. Elżbieta Krutysza
Case Study
Design for a Better World with Don Norman:
Can a local honey soap shop solve the global
problem of bee extinction?
https://miodowamydlarnia.pl/

2. „We're running out of time to fix the many problems that plague our
planet and threaten our existence. So, all of us must band together to
tackle global issues.”
- Interaction Design Foundation
„How do we change that? And finally, we have to focus on our designs, not
just on individual people, which is what human-centered design is about,
but upon all of humanity because humanity includes all living things: the
plants, all animals, and of course all people. It also includes the
environment because without a good environment, we're not going to
have people left; so, humanity is everything.”
- Don Norman

3. nearly - close to us
Markowa Apiary, Knyszyn Forest
screen from https://miodowamydlarnia.pl/ home page
locally - our country
Ponad
„Out of about 460 species of bees living in Poland,
as many as 222 are threatened with extinction.”
2021: https://www.teraz-srodowisko.pl/aktualnosci/Swiatowy-Dzien-
Pszczol-2021-owady-zapylajace-bioroznorodnosc-10346.html
continental - not so far
About 2,000 species of bees live in the European Union. They are
responsible for pollinating 84% of crops. The economic benefits of
bee pollination services in Europe are estimated at around €22
billion per year.
Ibidem.
global - abstraction, far far a way
„There are 20,000 different species of bees worldwide, 4,000 of which
are in the United States alone. In 2006-2015, about 25% fewer species
were found. In the best-case scenario, thousands of bee species
have already become too rare.”
https://www.earthday.org/fact-sheet-bees/

4. Don Norman suggests looking out the window and observing what
we have designed so far, acknowledging that although it may not be
great, the main point is that it is artificial and was designed by someone.
Therefore, we have the ability to redesign what surrounds us.
UX designers have a unique role in facilitating this change process,
equipped with methodologies such as human-centered design and
design thinking, enabling them to identify people's true needs and
frustrations.
However, people tend to focus only on issues that directly affect
them and often struggle to see beyond their own immediate concerns.
The lack of global social empathy has resulted in a lack of interest in
addressing pressing issues such as climate change, which is a cause for
concern.
I have faith in humanity and believe that we have the capacity to
solve problems. However, it's ironic that we often create problems
ourselves only to solve them later. This contradicts the notion that people
are inherently lazy. During the 20th century, we solved many global
problems despite the fact that news publishers tend to focus on tragedies
for clickbait. When we analyze hard data such as mortality rates, access
to healthcare and clean water, hygiene, poverty, energy costs, and car
ownership, we can see that people's lives are improving. However, doctors
are raising concerns about the increasing prevalence of allergies and
mental illnesses in the 21st century, possibly due to environmental factors.
Abstractly global - philosophically circular
Some philosophers argue that when we envision the Earth as a
small basketball, we create tension between ourselves and the world,
which leads to philosophical contemplation. Therefore, we should
contemplate what we, as individuals or a small company from Poland,
can do to effect change on a global scale. For example, can we address
the issue of endangered field crops and the extinction of bees? Although
the idea of globality can be abstract, we should seek ways to make a
meaningful impact.

5. Perhaps viewing the Earth as a philosophical basketball can help us
recognize that humans are a component of the Earth's system. Physicists
use the chaos theory and the butterfly effect to illustrate this concept.
They demonstrate that if a butterfly can cause a tornado in Brazil, then
each of us possesses a considerable ability to impact the world.
Don Norman stresses the importance of recognizing that we are an
integral part of an intricate system, where everything is interconnected,
and our actions have a ripple effect that is challenging to comprehend.
Global problem - local solution
The impact of global issues can be felt even by small, local
businesses. For instance, in Eastern Europe, there is a country with an old
forest called the Knyszyn Forest, where an apiary for bees is located on its
edge. A small business in the nearby city of Bialystok successfully sells
products made from the honey and pollen collected from this apiary. This
demonstrates that even a local business can contribute to the welfare of
the planet.
This local honey soap shop „Miodowa Mydlarnia” is a well-
established business that sells exquisite products while promoting the
establishment of apiaries away from industrialized agriculture, the
primary cause of bees' extinction due to its aggression and pesticide use.
Although they do not have an English version of their website, they offer
superfoods that are healthy and thoughtfully packaged. They claim to be
"zero waste," but it's essential to realize that merely being "zero waste" or
practicing recycling is no longer enough.
Although I appreciate this business, we must all do more today.
According to Don Norman, it may be too late to reverse the damage we
have inflicted on ourselves and the planet. We must strive for more
significant efforts to fix it because, as the butterfly effect reminds us, our
actions impact not only the health of the bees in the Knyszyn Forest but
also our own well-being. Sustainable development alone is insufficient;
we require a circular economy to effect meaningful change.
When designing new models, we cannot focus only on people
(Human-centered design). We must focus on humanity, which means
understanding that we are part of the planet's ecosystem. Humanity-

6. centered design, in this example, means seeing the bees and their
problems. We are affected by dwindling bees, which leads to a real
problem - food scarcity. Therefore, we must consider garbage production,
artificial fertilizers, deforestation, and other related issues. While it may
seem difficult, UX designers have good tools to help us with this.
Circular economy
"Miodowa Mydlarnia" has successfully implemented several aspects
of the circular economy. The company is committed to increasing bee
populations, which ensures food security for the entire planet, and
adheres to European policies for combating harmful pesticides. Their
apiary is situated in a pristine, old-growth forest, far away from
agricultural activity. The company promotes and sells natural products
made from honey sourced from their own ecological apiary, and their
packaging is eco-friendly, though not entirely so.
However, there are still some areas where they can improve:
1. The plastic stickers and glue on their beautiful jars could be made
removable, or they could explore other more "zero waste" options.
2. They could work on the design of their jars to make them appealing
enough to be reused, rather than being recycled or discarded.
3. They could consider offering subscription services where customers
receive products in a reusable container, such as a metal tin
engraved with their address, which could then be returned to the
company to be refilled.
4. They should use their success as an example to promote similar
solutions in other parts of Poland, and encourage local politicians to
adopt circular economy policies.
Small things - big improvement
This small company from the edge of an old forest in Poland,
Miodowa Mydlarnia, has already made significant contributions to the
circular economy and the planet's sustainability, but there is still more

7. they can do to continue improving. They can share their success story
and serve as an example for other businesses.
The United Nations has designated May 20th as World Bee Day,
reminding us of the critical role bees play in pollinating around 78% of all
flowering plant species in the temperate climate zone, and that 87 out of
the 109 most important crops rely entirely on animal pollination. This
highlights the need to protect bee populations and other pollinators for
the health of our ecosystems and food systems. The actions of small
companies like Miodowa Mydlarnia remind us that we can all make a
difference in our local communities, and collectively contribute to a
greater global change.
As you read this essay, you may be celebrating Bee Day or engaging
in other activities. If you happen to be playing basketball, consider putting
the ball down for a moment and observe the bees that may be buzzing
around you. These small creatures play a vital role in the circle of life, and
their well-being is crucial to our planet's health. Even if you're not playing
basketball, I encourage you to take a moment to appreciate the bees and
their impact on our world. Let's celebrate Bee Day and embrace the
principles of circularity to protect our ecosystems and ensure a
sustainable future for all.