Author: Johnathan Norma, Lead Creative Director
Date Published: April 26th, 2021
Publisher: Honda
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKuuV8w4G0Y
This video goes over the basic fundamental principles of Honda’s human centered design philosophy. Jonathan Norman, the creative lead of Honda interior design, reviews some key elements of Honda’s design that have stood the test of time, such as the idea of small cars that feel spacious and simple, driver focused layouts. By providing examples such as the single key approach, Norman makes it clear that Honda is focused on prioritizing people and their experience while using Honda products.
As Honda heads forward into a new era, Norman emphasizes the fact that they are beginning to refer back to their original core value of simplicity in design, in which they are disciplined towards catering to their user experience. It is evident that Honda is beginning to take the extra mile when it comes to their interior design and working to make design decisions that are not just stylistic, but specifically catered to drivers. In addition to making a simple, yet beautiful product, Honda designers are seeking to weave present technologies into the design of their cars in order to introduce a sense of modernity, as well as simplicity, to drivers.
Moving forward with a new outlook on their design direction, Honda decided to title their new direction “Simplicity and Something,” with the “something” directly correlating to users’ need for a product with character and beauty. By anticipating customers’ needs and how they use a product, Honda is able to make the experience better for them. By adding in easy to use, minimally distracting features for users to interact with while in the vehicle, such as lag-free control panels, Honda makes the driving experience more safe and enjoyable for its users. This new philosophy will be implemented in the newest version of the Honda Civic Sedan.
Honda’s new design philosophy is key for us to understand moving forward with this project because it sets the tone for what core values we need to keep in mind when rethinking the backseat experience. The concept of simplicity is going to need to be a driving force behind the design of the seat, and we need to keep it in mind when developing the seat so that it fits seamlessly into the interiors of future vehicles. In addition to it being necessary to keep Honda’s core design philosophy in mind when addressing interior aesthetics, it’s also important, if not more, to understand the amount of emphasis Honda puts on their user-centered design. It will be critical for us to focus good and well on our user, so that we can continue to uphold the set precedent for human centered design decisions happening during the development of vehicle interiors.
Honda. (2021, April 26). Honda New Interior Design Direction. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKuuV8w4G0Y
