7 Human-Centered Design Principles for MVPs

Want to build a product your users actually love? Start with these seven human-centered design principles for MVPs (Minimum Viable Products). They focus on understanding user needs, solving real problems, and creating simple, scalable solutions.

Key takeaways:

• Empathy-driven user research: Understand your users' emotions, frustrations, and needs to design intuitive, user-friendly products.
• Collaborative design: Involve users in workshops and feedback sessions to uncover usability issues early.
• Focus on one core problem: Avoid feature overload and solve a single, meaningful problem effectively.
• Plan for growth: Design with scalability and future updates in mind to avoid costly rework.
• Quick prototyping with testing: Use prototypes to validate ideas, refine usability, and gather actionable feedback.
• Accessibility from day one: Build products that work for everyone, including users with disabilities.
• Data-driven decisions: Use analytics and user feedback to guide improvements and ensure market fit.

Why it matters: Human-centered design leads to faster development, better user satisfaction, and stronger financial performance. Companies that prioritize these principles report up to 32% higher revenue growth and 56% better shareholder returns.

Ready to create an MVP that resonates with users and drives success? Let’s dive in.

The MVP Mindset with Kirsten Cilliers: Putting Users First | Ep 176 | DevReady Podcast

1. User Research Based on Empathy

Research rooted in empathy goes beyond just gathering data - it’s about understanding the deeper needs, preferences, abilities, and challenges of your users. This approach lays the groundwork for MVPs (Minimum Viable Products) that address genuine problems.

When you focus on empathy during user research, you’re tapping into the emotional drivers behind their actions, uncovering their frustrations, and considering the context in which they’ll engage with your product. This emotional understanding helps craft MVPs that connect on a personal level, creating more intuitive and fulfilling user experiences. These insights also lead to better usability and stronger feedback loops.

Usability for MVP Users

Empathy-driven research enhances usability by showing how users actually interact with your product rather than relying on assumptions. This understanding ensures designs are intuitive and satisfying. Even a feature-packed product can fall short if it doesn’t deliver a smooth user experience.

"The customer is 'hiring' your product to do a job. They can do that job in other ways. Good user experience in product development is about figuring out how users get at the value your product promises to deliver. What information should be on the screen without cluttering it? What should be easy to get at? What are the other tools the user is using?"

• Scott Varho, SVP Product Development, 3Pillar

Empathy plays a key role in creating user-friendly interfaces. For instance, Trello noticed users struggling to find collaboration features. By analyzing click maps and reviewing feedback forms, they reorganized their interface to highlight sharing options. This change led to a 19% increase in team usage. By improving usability, teams can also gather better feedback, helping refine the MVP further.

Incorporation of User Feedback

Empathy in research also fosters meaningful feedback loops, ensuring your MVP aligns with real user needs. Feedback helps validate assumptions about pain points and priorities, which is critical when resources are tight during the MVP phase.

To make feedback collection seamless, design processes that feel natural for users. Grammarly, for example, boosted survey completion rates by 30% by offering one month of free premium service to users who completed surveys. This simple gesture showed users that their opinions mattered.

Gathering empathetic insights can involve several methods: conduct user interviews to understand motivations and frustrations, use in-app feedback tools for easy input collection, and engage with early adopters in online communities for honest opinions and feature suggestions. Organize feedback into categories like usability issues, feature requests, and bugs, and prioritize these using methods such as the MoSCoW framework.

Companies that actively involve users in the development process often see measurable improvements. For example, those that release smaller, frequent updates report 40% higher user satisfaction rates compared to companies that rely on large, infrequent updates. This iterative method, driven by empathy, ensures your MVP adapts to evolving user needs and market conditions.

Building feedback loops doesn’t just improve your product - it strengthens the bond between your users and your brand. When users see their input reflected in updates, they feel a sense of ownership and loyalty. This emotional connection becomes a key asset as your MVP grows and scales.

2. Collaborative Design with Users

Collaborative design brings users into the fold as co-creators during MVP development. By involving them in design decisions, workshops, and feedback sessions, teams can uncover insights that go far deeper than traditional surveys ever could. This hands-on approach not only improves usability but also ensures immediate integration of feedback.

Usability for MVP Users

Through collaborative design sessions, you get a front-row seat to how users actually interact with your product. These real-time interactions can highlight usability issues that might otherwise go unnoticed. Workshops, in particular, provide a space for designers and users to align on priorities and expectations. Cintia Romero, Pinterest's Design Systems Lead, underscores the significance of these sessions:

"We say that education and adoption is a chain of events, but everything starts with education".

It’s crucial to tailor these workshops to different user groups. Early adopters, who are often more tech-savvy, will have different needs compared to mainstream users. By addressing these varied perspectives, you can create a more inclusive and user-friendly design.

Incorporation of User Feedback

One of the biggest advantages of collaborative design is how it integrates user feedback directly into the design process. Instead of waiting for formal feedback cycles, this approach allows for ongoing input that shapes a more responsive design. Alberto Calvo, former design system manager at Maze, shared how his team embraced this:

"Meeting people where they are is key. We have dedicated jam sessions and office hours weekly. We also have design systems meets every month to communicate and discuss changes with the team, gather ideas, and see what's working and what isn't".

By using multiple feedback channels - like surveys and direct conversations during sessions - teams can gather timely and actionable insights.

Scalability and Technical Feasibility

Collaborative design doesn’t just focus on user needs - it also bridges the gap between user desires and technical realities. When users participate in design sessions, they gain a better understanding of what’s technically feasible, while developers get a clearer picture of user priorities . These open discussions help teams avoid overdesigning or underdelivering.

Take RentFund, for example. Developed by LowCode Agency, the platform simplified rent payments and reached a $3 million valuation within just four weeks of launching. This success came from focusing on a specific problem and balancing user needs with technical feasibility.

At Propelius Technologies (https://propelius.tech), this collaborative approach is central to our 90-day MVP sprint. By embedding user insights at every step, we ensure our solutions stay user-focused while balancing innovation and technical constraints. It’s this commitment to human-centered design that drives impactful results.

3. Focus on Core Problem Solving

The best MVPs zero in on solving one problem. By doing this, they cut through the noise of endless feature requests and untested market assumptions, delivering something that truly connects with users. This approach sharpens the product's purpose and makes it easier to use.

Usability for MVP Users

When an MVP tackles a single challenge, it eliminates unnecessary complexity, making the product more intuitive. Users can quickly see its value without needing a manual or lengthy explanations. A great example is Dropbox. Instead of creating a sprawling file management system, they focused solely on file synchronization. Their simple video demo showcasing this feature skyrocketed sign-ups from 5,000 to 75,000 overnight. This shows the power of prioritizing core functionality while steering clear of unnecessary features that could dilute the product's main purpose.

Incorporation of User Feedback

A focused MVP also makes user feedback more actionable. When your product addresses one specific issue, the feedback you receive is more targeted and meaningful. Take Instagram, for instance. It started as a simple photo-sharing app aimed at making mobile photos look professional. Early users loved the filters and easy sharing, which guided the Instagram team to refine these features rather than chasing after unrelated ideas. This kind of feedback loop helps you improve the product in ways that directly enhance its core value.

Scalability and Technical Feasibility

Defining a single problem doesn’t just improve usability - it also simplifies technical decisions and sets the stage for scalability. A clear focus ensures every technical choice aligns with the product's main goal.

Zappos is a perfect example. In 1999, founder Nick Swinmurn launched a basic website with photos of shoes from local stores. When orders came in, he manually bought and shipped the shoes. This "Wizard of Oz" MVP validated the concept of online shoe sales with minimal technical investment. On the flip side, Quibi’s failure in 2020 highlights what happens when a product tries to chase trends instead of addressing a focused problem.

Focusing on a core problem not only simplifies development but also lays the groundwork for future growth. By staying laser-focused on what matters most, you can create a product that resonates deeply with users.

4. Design for Future Growth

Crafting an MVP isn’t just about solving today’s problems - it’s about preparing for tomorrow. By making smart design choices early, you can avoid expensive rework down the line and ensure your product evolves smoothly as user demand grows.

Usability for MVP Users

A seamless user experience is the backbone of any product’s growth. If users find your MVP intuitive and useful, they’re more likely to stick around and even recommend it to others. On the flip side, poor usability is a major culprit behind online business failures - 70% fail due to this, and 88% of consumers will avoid a site after a bad experience.

The secret lies in designing with future growth in mind. Your interface should remain clean and easy to navigate, even as new features roll out. This means sticking to consistent design patterns, maintaining clear navigation, and ensuring that core functionalities are always easy to access.

Investing in user experience pays off big time. Companies that prioritize UX report a $100 return for every $1 spent on design. This initial investment not only attracts users but also keeps them engaged as your product grows. Plus, satisfied users often provide valuable feedback that can guide future updates and improvements.

Incorporation of User Feedback

User feedback is your compass for growth. As your MVP develops, feedback helps you refine existing features and decide what to build next. It validates assumptions and uncovers opportunities you might have overlooked.

Take Slack, for example. What started as a basic messaging tool grew into a robust team collaboration platform - all thanks to user input. Establishing clear channels for feedback and fostering a culture that values user insights can save you from costly missteps. This is especially important when you consider that 38% of startups fail due to poor planning and overlooked development processes.

Scalability and Technical Feasibility

Technical decisions made during the MVP phase can make or break your product’s ability to scale. If you plan for scalability from the start, you’ll save yourself from future headaches.

Opt for scalable architectures - like microservices instead of monolithic designs - that allow for seamless updates as your user base grows. Cloud-based solutions are another great option, offering the flexibility to adjust resources based on demand.

"When we discuss scalability, we often think of well-established companies aiming to grow and acquire more customers. But is scalability also crucial for an MVP?" - Roksoliana Liubachivska, Business Development Manager and Startup Mentor, Django Stars

Defining scalability requirements early is essential. Consider projected user growth and usage patterns when planning your infrastructure. Regular performance testing - monitoring server load, response times, and resource use - can help you identify and address bottlenecks before they become major issues.

Don’t forget about security. Implementing strong security measures early on protects both your users and your product’s growth. It’s worth noting that 91.3% of companies successfully launch products by starting with an MVP approach. By balancing immediate needs with long-term goals, you can build a technical foundation that supports growth without requiring a complete overhaul later.

5. Quick Prototyping with User Testing

Quick prototyping, when paired with user testing, streamlines design validation and keeps development moving forward. By testing ideas early, you can refine your product step by step, ensuring it aligns with user needs and expectations.

Usability for MVP Users

Prototyping is a powerful way to identify usability issues before they escalate into costly problems. Instead of relying on assumptions, presenting a working model to real users shows how they interact with your product in practice.

Start with low-fidelity wireframes to outline functionality, move to high-fidelity mockups for a polished look, and use interactive prototypes to enable hands-on testing. Each iteration should address specific questions about user behavior and confirm assumptions about essential features. This targeted approach ensures you're gathering feedback that directly improves your MVP and guides its technical development.

Prototypes also serve as a compelling tool for communicating your vision to stakeholders. Allowing investors to interact with your concept makes your goals much clearer than static presentations ever could. This hands-on experience can be a game-changer when securing support for your project.

Incorporation of User Feedback

Real user feedback is the bridge between guesswork and actionable insights. The best MVPs come from teams that actively listen to and incorporate user input during the prototyping phase.

Take Twitter as an example - it began with basic social networking features and evolved based on what users found most valuable.

To gather feedback effectively, use multiple channels:

• User testing sessions: Observe how people navigate and interact with your prototype in real time.
• Surveys: Collect broader opinions about your concept.
• Focus groups: Dive deeper into specific features and gather detailed feedback.
• Beta versions: Share early versions with select users to gather insights from real-world usage.

Organize feedback by categorizing responses into themes and prioritizing suggestions based on impact and feasibility. The most valuable insights can then be turned into user stories with clear acceptance criteria, bridging the gap between what users need and what your development team builds.

Scalability and Technical Feasibility

While quick prototyping is about speed, it shouldn't come at the expense of your product's future. Thoughtful technical decisions during this stage can set the foundation for long-term growth.

Choose a scalable technology stack and design modular components to support rapid, iterative development cycles. Cloud services and continuous integration practices can further reduce technical debt and adapt to changing testing demands. Keep the focus on essential features, as adding unnecessary elements only complicates the process and slows down testing.

As Reid Hoffman, LinkedIn’s co-founder, famously said:

"If you are not embarrassed by the first version of your product, you've launched too late."

Document your technical choices thoroughly to ensure future developers understand the reasoning behind your prototype's architecture. This is especially important when transitioning to full-scale development. Regular code reviews and refactoring during prototyping also help minimize technical debt, making it easier to adapt as user testing reveals new priorities.

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6. Build with Accessibility from Day One

With 26% of U.S. adults living with disabilities, 71% of disabled users leaving inaccessible websites, and 96.3% of the top million homepages failing to meet ADA compliance, prioritizing accessibility from the start isn't just ethical - it's smart.

Usability for MVP Users

Designing with accessibility in mind improves usability for everyone. Features like clearer navigation, better color contrast, and intuitive interactions don’t just benefit users with disabilities - they create a smoother experience for all.

About 15% of the global population lives with some form of disability, but accessibility features often have a universal appeal. By incorporating these elements, your MVP can reach a broader audience while delivering a better user experience.

"The power of the Web is in its universality. Accessibility by everyone regardless of disability is an essential aspect."

• Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the World Wide Web

Start with simple, impactful changes. For example:

• Use semantic HTML so screen readers can interpret your content accurately.
• Ensure clickable areas are at least 48x48 pixels for users with mobility challenges.
• Add alt text to all images and maintain adequate color contrast.

These practical steps lay the groundwork for meeting formal accessibility standards.

Compliance with Accessibility Standards

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) provide a framework based on four principles: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust. Following these principles not only ensures compliance but also results in better products for everyone.

"Accessibility will not force you to make a product that is ugly, boring, or cluttered. It will give you design constraints that will lead to better products for all your users."

• Jesse Hausler, Principal Accessibility Specialist at Salesforce

For your MVP launch, focus on core elements like semantic HTML, keyboard navigation, color contrast, and form labels. These basics address the most common accessibility barriers while keeping your timeline manageable.

Testing is essential. Use automated tools like WAVE or axe DevTools to catch issues early. To gain deeper insights, test your product with assistive technologies like NVDA for Windows or VoiceOver for Mac.

However, meeting standards is just the start. Listening to your users ensures your product truly works for everyone.

Incorporation of User Feedback

Incorporating accessibility feedback into your MVP process helps you address real-world challenges, not just tick compliance boxes. Host user testing sessions with individuals who rely on assistive technologies to uncover issues that automated tools might miss.

Gather accessibility-specific feedback through in-app surveys at key interaction points. Train your support team to recognize and categorize accessibility-related concerns so they can be addressed systematically.

Treat this feedback like any other user input. Break it down into categories like usability issues, feature requests, and bugs. Then, prioritize fixes using frameworks like MoSCoW (Must have, Should have, Could have, Won't have).

"Having tools that allow you to automate the scans and integrate them into your build process helps a lot because you don't have to rely on somebody remembering to do it as part of your release process - it just happens automatically."

• Bob Andreasen, Executive Director of Software Quality Assurance at Harland Clarke

This feedback-driven approach not only improves design but also informs scalable technical strategies.

Scalability and Technical Feasibility

Building accessibility into your MVP from the start saves you from costly redesigns later. Addressing accessibility early streamlines your development process and avoids technical debt.

The global market of people with disabilities represents a staggering $6 trillion in spending power. Software Engineer Obinna Ekwuno highlights this opportunity:

"When you have a product that is accessible you will attract a wider audience than an inaccessible platform. More users translates to more value for your work."

To ensure scalability, use semantic HTML and keep CSS minimal. This approach creates a solid foundation that grows with your product while maintaining accessibility.

Document your accessibility decisions and review new code regularly to ensure standards are upheld. This consistent effort prevents accessibility issues from piling up as your MVP evolves into a full-fledged product.

7. Use Data to Guide Design Decisions

When it comes to creating a successful MVP, relying on data is key. Instead of making guesses, data allows you to make informed decisions that directly address user needs. Considering that 42% of startups fail due to a lack of market fit and 35% stumble because of scaling issues, grounding your decisions in real user behavior can make all the difference.

Usability for MVP Users

Combining numbers with user insights paints a clearer picture of how people interact with your product. Quantitative metrics like user retention rates, feature usage patterns, and engagement levels help you measure usability. For instance, a three-month retention rate of at least 40% can signal that your MVP is solving a real problem. Similarly, tracking the Daily Active Users to Monthly Active Users (DAU/MAU) ratio shows how "sticky" your product is - how often users keep coming back.

To stay ahead of potential issues, consider setting up real-time dashboards and alerts. These tools allow you to monitor unusual patterns as they happen, preventing minor usability hiccups from turning into major setbacks. By diving into user interaction data, you can pinpoint which features are delighting users and which might be causing frustration.

Incorporation of User Feedback

Feedback is the backbone of any MVP improvement process. Gathering insights through in-app surveys, interviews, analytics, social media, and customer support channels ensures you’re hearing directly from your users. To keep things organized, centralize all feedback using tools like user feedback platforms, CRM systems, or project management software. This approach ensures no valuable input slips through the cracks.

Once centralized, categorize feedback into usability issues, feature requests, and bugs. This makes it easier to prioritize what needs attention first. A great example is Microsoft’s Windows 10 Insider Program, where beta testers provided feedback that helped address interface issues and bugs before the official launch. This proactive process saved them from costly post-launch fixes.

To act on feedback efficiently, integrate tools that feed insights directly into your development workflow. This shortens feedback loops, allowing teams to respond quickly and incorporate user suggestions in real time.

Scalability and Technical Feasibility

Data doesn’t just guide design - it also informs how you scale. For sustainable growth, aim for a Customer Lifetime Value (CLTV) that’s at least three times your Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC). Additionally, a Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 30 or higher indicates that users are satisfied enough to recommend your product, signaling readiness for market expansion.

"Success is not delivering a feature; success is learning how to solve the customer's problem." – Eric Ries

To handle growth effectively, adopt scalable architectures and cloud solutions like AWS or Azure. These platforms offer flexibility and cost efficiency. Regular scalability testing is also essential - it helps you identify and fix potential bottlenecks before they affect the user experience.

Using a modular architecture and phased rollouts can help you scale without needing expensive rebuilds. Data can guide where to focus your scaling efforts by highlighting which modules users rely on most . Zoom’s experience in 2020 is a great example. When their user base exploded, they quickly addressed security flaws by rolling out end-to-end encryption and other updates, restoring trust and strengthening their position in the market.

Comparison Table

When developing MVPs, the choice between standard UX methods and a human-centered design approach can lead to vastly different results. The table below breaks down key performance metrics - like user satisfaction, project success, and financial outcomes - highlighting how these two approaches differ. By focusing on user-first principles, human-centered design often delivers stronger results across the board.

Metric	Standard UX Methods	Human-Centered Design Principles	Impact
User Satisfaction	May only partially meet users' emotional and practical needs	Empathy-focused strategies use continuous feedback to enhance satisfaction	Noticeably higher satisfaction
Project Success	About 70% of projects fail when user needs are overlooked	Tackling real user problems increases the likelihood of success	Significant improvement
Time-to-Market	In-depth research and documentation can slow delivery	Rapid prototyping and iterative testing speed up development	Faster delivery
Frequency of Iteration	Fewer updates with longer cycles between changes	Quick, frequent test-and-refine cycles allow for agile adjustments	Greater adaptability
Market Fit Achievement	Over 40% of startups struggle to achieve product-market fit	Solving actual user pain points ensures better market alignment	Stronger market alignment
Financial Performance	Standard growth and returns	Design-focused companies report 32% higher revenue growth and 56% better shareholder returns	Noticeable financial gains

Real-world examples show just how impactful a human-centered approach can be. Consider Uber’s original MVP: it focused on one core function - making ride-hailing easy. By allowing users to request rides and track drivers through a simple interface, Uber avoided unnecessary complexity. Spotify took a similar route, offering intuitive music streaming with features like search, playlist creation, and artist following. This clean, user-focused design made it easy for users to connect with the product.

A key strength of human-centered design lies in its agility. It thrives on rapid prototyping and testing cycles, enabling teams to gather feedback and refine ideas quickly. In contrast, traditional UX methods often get bogged down by lengthy research and documentation. This difference in approach explains why human-centered design often leads to faster and more effective MVP development.

"As you consider building your own minimum viable product, let this simple rule suffice: remove any feature, process, or effort that does not contribute directly to the learning you seek." – Eric Ries

The financial benefits of human-centered design are hard to ignore. Companies that prioritize design consistently outperform their peers, achieving higher revenue growth and better shareholder returns. By focusing on continuous improvement through user feedback, this approach addresses common challenges like poor market fit or unmet user needs, ensuring products that truly connect with their audience.

Conclusion

The seven human-centered design principles provide a solid foundation for developing MVPs that genuinely address user needs while aligning with business goals. By focusing on empathy-driven research, collaborative design, solving core problems, planning for future growth, rapid prototyping, prioritizing accessibility, and making data-informed decisions, teams can create products that truly connect with their users.

The impact of these principles is clear. Design-driven companies outperform their peers by 219% on the S&P 500 Index, and businesses with strong design practices exceed industry benchmarks by 200%. These numbers highlight the undeniable value of prioritizing user needs in the design process.

Take examples like Apple's iPhone or Google Maps - both embody human-centered design with interfaces and features that feel intuitive and natural to users. Similarly, Airbnb's $100 million revenue boost following design enhancements demonstrates the financial rewards of prioritizing user engagement.

On the flip side, 88% of users are unlikely to return after a poor experience. This statistic underscores the risks of neglecting user needs in today’s competitive market. To stay ahead, embracing these principles isn't optional - it's essential.

For teams looking to incorporate these principles effectively, partnering with experts can make all the difference. Propelius Technologies offers a 90-day MVP sprint, leveraging over a decade of startup experience and a track record of more than 100 successful projects. Their human-centered approach ensures that your product is designed with your users - and your business objectives - in mind.

Whether you choose a turnkey solution or a more tailored approach, start applying these principles today. By doing so, you'll not only meet user expectations but also set the stage for continuous growth and success.

FAQs

How does human-centered design help MVPs succeed and grow?

Human-centered design (HCD) is a game-changer when it comes to building successful Minimum Viable Products (MVPs). By putting the needs, behaviors, and experiences of users front and center, HCD shifts the focus from simply adding features to creating products that feel natural, accessible, and truly meet user expectations.

This user-first mindset brings tangible benefits: higher satisfaction, quicker refinement cycles, and smarter solutions that resonate with the market. Tackling usability and accessibility right from the beginning ensures MVPs are not just solving real-world problems but also keeping users engaged - setting the stage for lasting growth and success.

How can you ensure accessibility is built into your MVP from the start?

To make your MVP accessible from the start, align your design and development efforts with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). These guidelines emphasize four key principles: perceivability, operability, understandability, and robustness. In practice, this means using semantic HTML, adding text descriptions for images, ensuring adequate color contrast, and enabling full keyboard navigation.

It's also important to include usability testing with a diverse range of users early in the process. Testing with assistive tools like screen readers can uncover barriers that might otherwise go unnoticed. Additionally, gathering ongoing feedback from users throughout the development phase ensures your MVP is inclusive and addresses the needs of individuals with disabilities effectively.

What’s the best way to collect and prioritize user feedback during the MVP phase?

Gathering and Prioritizing User Feedback During the MVP Phase

During the MVP phase, setting up clear and straightforward feedback channels is key to understanding your users. Tools like in-app surveys or feedback forms allow you to gather insights directly from users as they interact with your product. Additionally, tools such as heatmaps and session recordings can help you observe user behavior, uncovering usability challenges or areas that need improvement.

Once you've collected feedback, organize it into categories like user pain points, feature requests, or recurring themes. Focus on addressing feedback that aligns with your core user needs and business objectives. By regularly analyzing and acting on this feedback, you can refine your product to better meet user expectations, ultimately boosting satisfaction and engagement.