Human vs User

What exactly does it mean to design from a more human- or user-centered perspective? Many discussions surrounding user experience (UX) design regard “human-centered” and “user-centered” design as essentially interchangeable. However, for the purpose of clarity, we will define both and briefly explore their differences.

TWO SIDES OF THE SAME COIN

Though the terms “user” and “human” are often used separately when referring to design strategies, they are closely related and not mutually exclusive. In some scenarios, user-centric and human-centric design could be the same thing: Both are focused on providing the end user (or human) with a design that’s beneficial to his or her life.

In other circumstances, it appears that user-centric and human-centric design could differ slightly. For example, user-centric design could be taken as a less emotionally empathetic approach, focused primarily on the tangible, physiological ways users interact with a platform, whereas human-centric design incorporates their emotional or psychological preferences as well.

Either way, applying user-centric or human-centric design in your process as a UX designer should significantly open up your thinking and improve your outcomes. As advertising, marketing and overall brand interaction becomes increasingly digital, the need for user and human-centered approaches to design—ones that actually incorporate and consider the preferences and feelings of the people who will be interacting with digital interfaces—will be absolutely critical.