What design process considers the needs, wants, and limitations of end users at each stage?

User centered design is a design approach that prioritizes the needs, wants, and limitations of end users throughout the entire design process. By actively involving users from the outset—through research, feedback, and testing—designers are able to create products that are not only functional but also resonate with users on a personal level. This approach focuses on understanding user behavior, experiences, and preferences, ensuring that the final product is tailored to meet their specific needs.

In user centered design, designers engage in activities such as user interviews, usability testing, and persona development to ensure that user insights inform every decision made in the design process. This continuous feedback loop helps to minimize the risk of creating a product that does not effectively meet user expectations.

Other approaches like design thinking emphasize empathy and iterative problem-solving but may not focus as consistently on user input at every stage of the process. Human factors design centers on the ergonomic and psychological aspects of user interaction without fully engaging users throughout the design cycle. Participatory design encourages user involvement but may not provide the structured methodology present in user centered design to systematically integrate user input at every stage.