🌟 Exciting Highlights from the Don Norman Design Award (DNDA) Conference! 🌟
Jessica Sanchez Balandran and Prajina Edayath, research scholars from the Physical, Information, and Cognitive Human Factors Engineering (PIC-HFE) Research Laboratory at UTEP, joined Priya Pennathur and me in San Diego, CA, for this incredible event. Jessica, a pre-med scholar aspiring to become an OB/GYN, explores innovative ways to apply human factors engineering to women’s health challenges, while Prajina, a PhD scholar in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, is passionate about postpartum health in women.
During this two-day conference, we were deeply inspired by the transformative power of humanity-centered design. We explored how community-initiated, humanity-focused approaches can drive meaningful change and positively impact lives.
Writes Jessica about her conference experiences:
“Earlier this month, I had an amazing opportunity to attend the Don Norman Design Awards (DNDA) in San Diego, California. This event celebrates innovative designs that aim to make the world a better place, and it was an honor to be part of it. The DNDA wasn’t just an awards ceremony; it was an eye-opening experience about how design can inspire real-world change. We explored groundbreaking projects addressing healthcare, sustainability, and social equity, all showcasing the transformative power of human-centered design. Some standout projects included a community kitchen in Brazilian favelas improving nutrition and employment, Psychomobile—a mobile mental health clinic for immigrants in Tijuana, Mexico, and a palliative care initiative in a Mumbai tribal settlement bringing compassionate end-of-life care to underserved populations. Closer to home, Collective Motherhood in the U.S. empowers families on their parenthood journeys. These stories reinforced the profound impact of design on global communities. One message that stuck with me was, ‘We need to switch from “I” thinking to “WE” thinking.’ This idea resonated deeply and reminded me that meaningful change happens through empathy, collaboration, and shared purpose. Seeing how design can transform healthcare, improve accessibility, and empower underserved communities solidified my passion for combining disciplines to make an impact. Through my work in the PIC-HFE Lab at UTEP, I’ve witnessed the intersection of science and design in improving healthcare. The DNDA left me with a deeper appreciation for how design can transform lives. It’s not just about creating something functional—it’s about building something meaningful. I’m excited to embrace ‘we’ thinking and explore the endless possibilities of thoughtful, people-first design.”
Jessica Sanchez Balandran and Prajina Edayath, research scholars from the Physical, Information, and Cognitive Human Factors Engineering (PIC-HFE) Research Laboratory at UTEP, joined Priya Pennathur and me in San Diego, CA, for this incredible event. Jessica, a pre-med scholar aspiring to become an OB/GYN, explores innovative ways to apply human factors engineering to women’s health challenges, while Prajina, a PhD scholar in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, is passionate about postpartum health in women.
During this two-day conference, we were deeply inspired by the transformative power of humanity-centered design. We explored how community-initiated, humanity-focused approaches can drive meaningful change and positively impact lives.
Writes Jessica about her conference experiences:
“Earlier this month, I had an amazing opportunity to attend the Don Norman Design Awards (DNDA) in San Diego, California. This event celebrates innovative designs that aim to make the world a better place, and it was an honor to be part of it. The DNDA wasn’t just an awards ceremony; it was an eye-opening experience about how design can inspire real-world change. We explored groundbreaking projects addressing healthcare, sustainability, and social equity, all showcasing the transformative power of human-centered design. Some standout projects included a community kitchen in Brazilian favelas improving nutrition and employment, Psychomobile—a mobile mental health clinic for immigrants in Tijuana, Mexico, and a palliative care initiative in a Mumbai tribal settlement bringing compassionate end-of-life care to underserved populations. Closer to home, Collective Motherhood in the U.S. empowers families on their parenthood journeys. These stories reinforced the profound impact of design on global communities. One message that stuck with me was, ‘We need to switch from “I” thinking to “WE” thinking.’ This idea resonated deeply and reminded me that meaningful change happens through empathy, collaboration, and shared purpose. Seeing how design can transform healthcare, improve accessibility, and empower underserved communities solidified my passion for combining disciplines to make an impact. Through my work in the PIC-HFE Lab at UTEP, I’ve witnessed the intersection of science and design in improving healthcare. The DNDA left me with a deeper appreciation for how design can transform lives. It’s not just about creating something functional—it’s about building something meaningful. I’m excited to embrace ‘we’ thinking and explore the endless possibilities of thoughtful, people-first design.”