100 More Things Every Designer Needs to Know About People

Let’s begin our journey with a gentle realization: the world of design is no longer just about making things look beautiful. Today, designers are also behavioral scientists, weaving together art and the science of human behavior. Imagine waking up, sipping your coffee, and slipping on a headset that brings your digital world to life with a gesture. As you walk, your arm becomes a touchscreen, your vest vibrates with subtle cues, and your unconscious mind processes a symphony of sensory data. This is not science fiction—this is the near future, and it’s a world that needs thoughtful, human-centered design.

Designers now sit at the intersection of psychology, neuroscience, and technology. The explosion in our understanding of the brain means that every swipe, every screen, every device is a chance to support how people learn, work, and play. You’re not just choosing colors and shapes; you’re designing experiences that live in clothing, headsets, and even robots.

Gone are the days when you could rely solely on intuition or artistic flair. The modern designer must keep learning, keep adapting, and keep asking: How do people really think? What do they feel? How do they behave? The answers come not just from observation, but from the latest research—research that tells us, for example, that our brains process big data unconsciously, that our peripheral vision decides where we look next, and that technology can even help the blind see through their tongues.

Yet, amidst all this change, one thing remains constant: the designer’s purpose is to make life better, easier, and more meaningful. As you step into this new era, remember that you are not just creating products—you are shaping the future of human experience. Let’s carry this spirit forward as we explore how people see the world, and how design can shape what they notice, feel, and remember.