Many parents want to be intentional with their family life. But when it comes to how, we often fall back on what we know best. We carry the dos and don’ts from how we were parented, and rely on the problem-solving habits we have learned at work.

In business, we are conditioned to solve for efficiency and productivity. We make logical decisions, act fast and improve later. We understand customer-centricity, but often as a way to influence behaviour for business results. These approaches are powerful in business, but when carried into family life without deeper understanding or sensitivity to context, they often fall short.

At home, we set routines, chores, rules to keep life moving. Systems are important as they create rhythm and structure. But when they are shaped mainly by our upbringing or by efficiency-driven work habits, we often end up with more conflict and disconnection instead of harmony.

This is where human centered design makes a difference. Applied at home in its purest form, not for profit or control, but for the benefit of the people we love, it becomes a powerful way to help families thrive while strengthening connection at the same time.

What You’ll Find Here

This is a living playbook aimed at helping families looking to shape their culture at home. It breaks down the human-centered approach commonly used by designers in businesses made relevant for use at home. The content is categorised into 4 key sections to help you find a flow that works best for you.

1. Family Toolkit

   • Introduction to Human-centered Design
     What is Human-Centered Design and Why it Matters at Home
     The Life Skills Families can Build through Human-centered Design

   • Key principles (How we work)

   • Mindsets (How we think)

   • Methods (How we act)

   • Tools (How we structure)
     

2. Family Stories

   • Common challenges families face & how they overcome them

   • Learnings from families practicing the new approach
     

3. Family Sprints & Practice

   • Activities to encourage intentional practice
     

4. Insights

   • Family Learnings (Insights from our work with families)
     Why Family Life Feels So Hard

   • Expert Insights (from subject matter experts)

   • Reflections (Personal experiences & thoughts)

About the Writer

Evonne Ng-Jääskeläinen is a Singaporean designer currently based in Helsinki, with over two decades of experience across creative agencies, business brand teams, and innovation consulting. She has led design projects and helped organizations adopt a human-centered approach to growth and transformation.

In recent years, she found new meaning in the skills she had used at work as she navigated the complexities of her family life. And intercultural marriage, multiple international moves, raising two sensitive and strong-willed children and constant change tested her in new ways no project ever had.

Applying design tools at home began as a desperate attempt to manage the chaos of everyday life, but when she saw how positively her children responded, it revealed something deeper. These methods are more than problem-solving techniques. They are ways to foster collaboration, encourage self reflection, practice empathy, strengthen critical thinking skills, and most importantly, build stronger relationships at home.

Through Stoodio for Mankind, Evonne now partners with families to explore new ways of living and learning together. She co-creates tools, shares stories and help families build cultures grounded in collaboration and connection.

Reach out, Connect & Collaborate

Building a community to provide better support is in our plan. In the meantime, if you are looking for help or opportunities to collaborate related to our work here, or even to volunteer your time to help us test and develop our tools & methods, please do reach out.

We are also available for workshops and 1-1 coaching to meet your specific needs.

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