Human Centered Design (HCD) is one of 7 research groups of the German Society for Design Theory and Research (DGTF). The IDK is responsible for directing the HCD research group that is currently being set up. The research groups are also intended to link to topical networks and establish concrete possibilities for technical exchange within the DGTF.

The Human Centered Design research group encompasses a field of different design paradigms, from usability and experience design to Kansei engineering and universal design, which puts humans and human relations at the centre of its methodology. Cross-disciplinary aspects of these fields are the classification of the methods into a reflexive practice in design, the connection of design and the social sciences and the introduction of HCD into basic education and instruction of design.

http://www.dgtf.de