Cognitive Design

In cognitive design we must make every effort to understand the psychological needs of others. These include emotional, intellectual, motivational and volition or those involved in making active conscious choices. Discovering deeply felt yet unrecognized cognitive needs is often enough to light the way to block buster designs.

So I am always on the lookout for interesting new ways to probe the mind and uncover new cognitive needs.  A colleague recently shared a link to a site that catalogs a growing movement around expressing with picture and text why you do what you do or WYDWYD for short.   The main site it here and an interesting collection of responses is here.

According to Wired, WDYDWYD started in 2004 and has been growing since. This signals a clear existential need people have to express their purpose in life to others. Take note cognitive designers. It is also interesting as technique to probe cognitive needs. Clearly each purpose statement reveals specific inclinations and associated needs and wants at the psychological level. WDYDWYD might be a simple, low-cost and fun way to help surface deep cognitive needs!