Design Dialogues: Don Norman on Humanity-Centered Design (HCD+)
Fri Nov 20, 15:00 - Fri Nov 20, 17:00
Hasso Plattner d-school at the University of Cape Town
ABOUT
Don Norman, one of the most influential voices in design, is coming to Cape Town.
For decades, Don has championed human-centred design and shaped how the world thinks about the things we use every day. Now he’s calling for a bigger shift: from designing for people to designing for humanity. That means our communities, our societies, and the planet we share.
Join us at the Hasso Plattner d-school Afrika, at the University of Cape Town, for Design Dialogues. Srini Srinivasan, CEO of the Don Norman Design Award and Summit, will introduce the award. Don will then give a keynote on humanity-centred design (HCD+): what it means for business, community, and education, and why it matters across Africa. The session closes with a moderated Q&A, so bring your questions. We’re also inviting the award’s African laureates to join the conversation.
Friday, 20 November 2026
15:00–17:00: Talk and panel discussion
17:00 onwards: Networking with light snacks and drinks
Hasso Plattner d-school Afrika, University of Cape Town, and streamed online
FILMING, PHOTOGRAPHY, AND YOUR INFORMATION
Filming and photography: the Hasso Plattner d-school Afrika will photograph and film this event, both in person and online. By registering, you acknowledge that you may appear in photos, video, or recordings that we use in future marketing and communications. If you’d prefer not to be photographed or filmed, please let our team know on arrival or email [email protected].
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SPEAKERS
About Don Norman
Don Norman is Distinguished Professor Emeritus and founding Director of the Design Lab at the University of California, San Diego. He was Vice President of Advanced Technology at Apple, an executive at HP, and is co-founder of the Nielsen Norman Group. He has written 21 books, translated into over 20 languages, including The Design of Everyday Things, Emotional Design, and, most recently, Design for a Better World: Meaningful, Sustainable, Humanity Centered. His focus today is the Don Norman Design Award. Learn more about Don
About Srini Srinivasan
Srini Srinivasan is CEO of the Don Norman Design Award and Summit, and a past President of the World Design Organization (WDO). He is Professor of Industrial Design at the Design Institute of Innovation Shanghai, and has over 30 years of design and innovation experience across the United States, Europe, and Asia.
About the Don Norman Design Award
The Don Norman Design Award is a non-profit organisation that recognises early-career individuals and organisations who practise humanity-centred design (HCD+) for societal good, with measurable impact. Established in 2023, it selects its laureates through a rigorous process led by 21 jurors, and winners receive a US$10,000 cash prize. The award’s next conference takes place in February 2027.
TICKETS
In-person seat: Limited seats available
Online livestream: Limited tickets available. Stream via Zoom Webinar
AGENDA
14:00 - 15:00: Registration and Arrival
15:00 - 17:00: Hybrid Dialogue
17:00 - 19:00: Networking drinks and light snacks