Environment-Community-Human-Oriented (ECHO) Design: A Context-Appropriate Design-Thinking Process for the Well-Being of Individuals, Communities, and the Local Environment

Abstract

This work builds upon the user-centric “design-thinking” methodology to form environment-community-human-oriented (ECHO) design, a process that strives to create solutions that not only meet the needs of the potential users but also create positive experiences and meaningfully influence their communities and the environment. As important as the users, the environment and communities are also key design considerations and target beneficiaries of the design outcomes. ECHO design was applied to solve the lack-of-safe-drinking-water problem in under-resourced communities. The resulting solution was an integration of products and services, consisting of an inexpensive, easy-to-use-and-maintain, aesthetically pleasing, and environmentally friendly water-disinfecting device; a model to fit the use of the device into the local daily routines, skills, resources, communities’ cultures, social conducts, spending habits, health understanding, and environmental settings; and a business model aiming to sustain the use of the product, health-oriented mind-set, and positive long-term impacts on the individuals, communities, and the environment.