Nicole Lin organized and facilitated three Human Centered Design workshops with student organizations at the University of Auckland to introduce participants to HCD methodology. Over 46 students from medical and social innovation programs participated in the workshops. Nicole planned the logistics, prepared materials, and guided participants through interactive activities to understand HCD concepts and apply them to their own projects. Participants provided positive feedback, enjoyed learning about HCD, and were excited to use the approach in their future work.

1. My experience running Human Centered
Design workshops
Presented by Nicole Lin
@terrascura
linkedin.com/in/nicoleyuelin
Design Kit
Facilitator’s Guide

2. Why
Creativity is the key to unlocking solutions
for our future, and human centered design
can help unlock creative confidence within
all of us to co-create better outcomes.
We need to create solutions that are built
upon empathy, actively listening to those in
need. This way we can keep improving
what we are making.
A majority of the people I’ve talked to have
never heard of HCD. I want to help spread
this methodology – for a better world.

3. Who
I got in touch with two student
organisations at University of
Auckland, whose members are
actively involved with community and
social impact projects:
Medical Students for Global
Awareness (MSGA)
Social Innovation New Zealand
(SINZ)

4. Planning
In conjunction with MSGA and SINZ
teams, I organised the venue, timing,
and recruitment for participants. I had
several meetings to discuss the
workshops. There were a lot interest
from the members.
I also printed and prepared
participant packs, including:
Handouts, surveys, post-it notes,
pens, markers

5. Workshop One
Time:
23 March 2016
Location:
University of Auckland Medical School
Participants:
16 people from
Medical Students for Global Awareness

8. Workshop Two
Time:
30 March 2016
Location:
University of Auckland Medical School
Participants:
8 people from
Medical Students for Global Awareness

10. Workshop Three
Time:
31 March 2016
Location:
University of Auckland Business School
Participants:
22 People from
Social Innovation Kickstart Programme
(University of Auckland cohort)

14. Process
- I used the facilitator’s notes and I used the slides
extensively to introduce the concepts and help
participants visualize them vividly
- I gave real world examples when required to help
participants understand the concepts better (e.g. I
helped relate the Desirability, Feasibility and
Viability venn diagram to product development in
technology and medical fields, and gave examples
on building empathy and actively listening)
- I wandered around the room to help facilitate and
encourage group discussions and brainstorms
- I did not limit their HMW question to the preset
question, I’ve let the participants focus their efforts
on HMWs for something they’re passionate about
or something they’re currently working on

15. Outcome
Successfully ran 3 sessions
46 people introduced to HCD
Ideas further refined and iterated
Prototypes were created and tested
Several projects kickstarted
Overall very positive feedback from
participants
People really enjoyed learning about
Human Centered Design
Planning to run more workshops
=
The Sky Is The Limit!

16. Feedback
“Very interactive, great activities”
“Facilitator had great passion”
“Awesome interaction and
engagement”
“Engaging and creative, lots of good
insights gained & facilitated”
“Explained the concepts concisely but
well”
“Now I’m not afraid to come up with
crazy ideas”
“Very practical!”
“I can use HCD in my next project!”

17. Thanks for being part of this journey!
Nicole Lin
@terrascura
linkedin.com/in/nicoleyuelin