Siebel Center for Design

Design Forward

The Siebel Center for Design (SCD) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has launched a new professional development program aimed at equipping participants with the tools, resources, and skills to build foundational knowledge in Human-Centered Design (HCD) and develop practical HCD capabilities tailored to their professional contexts. Through a series of interactive and applied learning experiences, participants will earn certification from SCD in Human-Centered Design Knowledge and Capabilities. This certification validates their understanding and application of HCD principles, preparing them to innovate, solve problems with empathy, and implement user-centered approaches in their work. Additionally, participants will gain the confidence to facilitate HCD sessions using design thinking techniques.

Through a series of interactive and applied learning experiences, participants will earn certification from SCD in Human-Centered Design Knowledge and Capabilities. This certification validates their understanding and application of HCD principles, preparing them to innovate, solve problems with empathy, and implement user-centered approaches in their work. Additionally, participants will gain the confidence to facilitate HCD sessions using design thinking techniques.

Leveraging SCD’s extensive expertise and proven methodologies, this program delivers a high-quality and impactful training experience. Participants will leave equipped with the knowledge and tools to integrate HCD principles into their practices, fostering meaningful and sustainable change within their organizations.

For more information, please contact Rachel Switzky at rswitzky@illinois.edu.

Program Overview

The training program consists of two core components: Building Foundational HCD Knowledge and Developing HCD Capabilities, delivered through engaging and interactive modules. Participants can complete the program in one of two ways: over three consecutive days or on a flexible schedule customized to meet their organization’s needs.

Each module is carefully designed to enhance participants' understanding and hands-on application of HCD principles. Upon successful completion, participants will receive certification from SCD, recognizing their proficiency in HCD.

To ensure the program’s long-term impact, SCD offers a follow-up half-day session scheduled several months after the training. This session provides an opportunity to review the organization’s progress, assess the program's impact, and address any challenges or opportunities for further development.

To measure outcomes, the program will begin and end with participant surveys, assessing initial knowledge and post-training progress. These assessments provide valuable insights into the program’s effectiveness and its impact on participants’ capabilities.