Latest Updates
June 2025 Update on the Don Norman Design Award and Summit
Updated June 4, 2025
The Don Norman Design Award and Summit (DNDA) is an international program to advance the development of humanity-centered design (HCD+) education and practice worldwide. Projects must demonstrate their ability to make substantial contributions to society. HCD+ is Human-Centered Design, plus more: hence HCD+. The phrase “Humanity-Centered” emphasizes the rights of all humanity and addresses all life, as well as the earth’s environment. DNDA is a non-profit public charity, classified as a 501(c)(3) organization in the United States.
What kinds of projects are supported? They must address people. Projects for technological solutions are important and valuable, but are not part of the DNDA framework. See the DNDA website, https://dnda.design. Also, see the United Nations’ list of 17 Sustainable Development Goals at https://sdgs.un.org/ (and explore the numerous specialized websites branching off from that site).
I am delighted to announce that the 2024 Don Norman Design Award and Summit (DNDA24) concluded with an exciting, emotional, and educational Summit on November 14 and 15, 2024. Over 200 people attended from multiple countries (entries came from 26 countries).
The 2025 summit (DNDA25) will be held in Singapore from November 18 to 21, 2025, hosted by Singapore Polytechnic. Details about the award process can be found on the DNDA website (https://dnda.design). A pointer to information about the Singapore Summit will be placed on this website and also on DNDA.design as soon as it is released by Singapore (their goal is August 2025).
Awards and Recognition
- Awards to early-career practitioners who are doing HCD+ projects for societal good, with evidence of their progress.
- Recognition for educational groups that train people to do this work, with their evidence being graduates who are now active.
- Recognition of organizations that officially support HCD+ projects for societal good. These can be any officially recognized organization, including not-for-profits, NGOs, Foundations, and for private companies and industries, regardless of size, as long as they are truly supporting societal projects.
- An international summit for humanity-centered design education groups and projects, where, in addition to celebrating rewards, established organizations share their accomplishments, their difficulties, and even their failures, all in the spirit of learning from their experiences and sharing the knowledge.
All entries in all categories (see the list below) must address one of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and utilize Humanity-Centered Design principles (HCD+). See the DNDA website at https://dnda.design for more details.
The awards celebrate early-career professionals. In addition, recognition is given to HCD+ educational groups that train individuals who work on or educate others about societal projects. We also recognize the work of organizations that support early-career investigators, as well as special recognition to organizations that embody the spirit of DNDA but are neither early-career individuals nor educational groups..
The summit brings together international groups and programs that engage in Humanity-Centered education for societal projects, enabling all to share insights and experiences as well as to honor each year’s recipients of awards or that who receive recognition.
Our mission is to champion humanity-centered design, emphasizing the rights and well-being of all people and the shared ecosystem of the planet.
Categories of Awards and Recognition
Awards: Groups receiving awards receive a trophy, a certificate, and a monetary gift
- Early Career Projects. HCD+ work by early career groups that provides evidence for accomplishing societal good
Recognition: Groups that receive recognition for accomplishments in HCD+ receive a certificate
- HCD+ Education. Groups that train HCD+ practitioners, with graduates who do HCD+ projects or education.
- HCD+ Organizations. Any officially recognized organization, whether not-for-profit or for-profit, large or small, that supports HCD+ projects either by company employees or through support of those doing this kind of work. Their projects must follow the HCD+ approach to societal change that fits the spirit of DNDA but do not qualify for early career or educational recognition.
An international committee of jurors reviews all applications.
Podcasts/talks available for viewing:
Guy Kawasaki’s “Remarkable People” podcast
Don Norman emphasizes the importance of humanity-centered design, which considers the impact of design on the environment, society, and all living things. He discusses the potential of artificial intelligence and the need for collaboration and diverse perspectives in design. Don also highlights the success of reversing the ozone hole issue and the potential for finding solutions to other environmental challenges.
https://wavve.link/remarkablepeople
Invisible machines
For the season one finale, Robb and Josh welcome legendary researcher, professor, and author Don Norman. His book “The Design of Everyday Things” helped define the parameters of human centered design, and his new book “Design for a Better World: Meaningful, Sustainable, Humanity Centered” expands the process to account for all life (human and otherwise), all societies, and the ecological system. (15 June 2023) 68 minutes
Design Matters w/Debbie Millman
https://soundcloud.com/designmatters/don-norman
Artificiality w/Helen and Dave Edwards.
https://artificiality.substack.com/p/don-norman-design-for-a-better-world#details
Nodes of Design #99: Design for a Better World
Join us for a truly special episode of Nodes of Design featuring design visionary Don Norman. Don, renowned globally for pioneering user-centred design work, shares fascinating insights from his latest book ‘Design for a Better World’.
In this episode, we delve into the crucial role of design in addressing pressing global challenges such as climate change, poverty, and social inequality. Don shares his vision of how designers can contribute to a better world by collaborating with scientists, policymakers, and politicians.
As we navigate an era increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence, Don explores the future of design in this new context. He enlightens us on how AI can serve as a co-pilot in our design process and the possibilities it holds for designers.
Don’s advice for budding designers is particularly striking. He emphasizes the need to cultivate an environmentally-first design mindset in an era of environmental crisis. This episode is a must-listen for design enthusiasts seeking to understand how design can truly improve our world.
Tune in for a thought-provoking journey through the Nodes of Design with Don Norman, a master of craft who continues to inspire and shape the design field.
My discussion at FLAME University,
Pune India (1 hour)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AR6E5Iiok-Q
My discussion at Krea University
Sri City, Andhra Pradesh, India
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwoqb-zUKIM
McKinsey & Company Author Talks:
This includes a transcript of the conversation as well as selected video sections.
Discussion with Bob Kozma about our two books
Bob’s book is “Make the World a Better Place: Design with Passion, Purpose, and Values“. His book and my DBW book are very similar in spirit, so they strengthen and reinforce one another. https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7063645482488627201/
August 6, 2023. PCI Community Podcast (People-Centered Internet)
Recording available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jjb5eMFM3EQ
