The Stanley Caplan User-Centered Design Award honors products that succeed in the hands of real users, and the methods that got them there.
Celebrating 25 years of the Stanley Caplan User-Centered Product Design Award, this year’s winners demonstrate how understanding people leads to better products.
Baxter International Inc.
A smart stretcher designed to ease the physical and cognitive demands on care teams and support better patient experiences. Judges recognized its comprehensive human factors program, extensive user evaluation, and integration of user needs throughout development.
Belron® International and DCA Design International
An automotive glass preparation and fitting system designed to reduce physical demands and make the work accessible to a broader range of technicians. Judges praised its rigorous ergonomic analysis, global user research, and translation of findings into practical design improvements.
Details of a virtual celebration featuring both winning teams will be announced later this year.
Four quick questions to find your starting point.
No fee. No HFES membership required.
You can nominate your own work or someone else’s.
Established in 2001, the Stanley Caplan User-Centered Design Award emphasizes both product design and the user-centered design (UCD) methods used to specify and achieve it. It focuses on innovative approaches to Human Factors and Industrial Design for consumer, commercial, and medical products.
Military equipment and systems are not eligible. See the eligibility requirements for product timing and nomination details.
Categories are browsing aids, not official award classifications. Commercial includes industrial products and business software.
Explore the six official criteria, with practical prompts to help tell your design story.
Preparation prompts are guidance, not additional judging requirements.
Choose a year to explore the award’s history.
Read the 25-year retrospective ↗Award recipients reflect on recognition, collaboration, and the value of user-centered design.
“We’re honored that Ezi-Prep has been recognized with the Stanley Caplan User Centered Product Design Award. The project began with a simple goal: make a physically demanding task safer, easier, and more accessible for the technicians who perform it every day.”
“We’re delighted to see that process recognized by the Stanley Caplan Award, particularly because it demonstrates the value of rigorous human-centered design in an area where it is not always expected.”
“Our team is motivated by the impact our innovations can have, and this award inspires us to continue pushing boundaries in design and technology.”
“Fresenius Medical Care is honored to receive the prestigious Stanley Caplan Award. It is gratifying to see the collaborative effort of our global cross-functional team recognized.”
“We are honored to receive the Stanley Caplan User-Centered Product Design Award, which recognizes the impact of designing with users at the center of the development process.”
“This UCD recognition reflects the thoughtful, user-centered approach that guided our recent redesign efforts.”
“We are honored to receive the prestigious Stanley Caplan Award. It is gratifying to see the collaborative effort of our global cross-functional team recognized.”
“On behalf of the Industrial Design and Human Factors organization at Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies, we’re honored to be recognized with this prestigious award.”
“However, the recognition by our peer experts in the human factors field truly highlights the 20 years of investment and dedication of our entire team.”
The Stanley Caplan User-Centered Product Design Award is named in honor of Stanley Caplan, a distinguished fellow of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES). This accolade recognizes his significant contributions and unwavering commitment to advancing the field of user-centered design and research. Caplan's work has been instrumental in promoting the importance of designing products with the end-user in mind, both within the industry and among professionals.
Additionally, he has played a pivotal role in mentoring and guiding others to champion user-centered approaches in their work, ensuring that the principles of usability and human factors are integral to product design processes. This award celebrates Caplan's lasting impact on the field and his dedication to fostering an understanding of how user-centered design can enhance product effectiveness, safety, and user satisfaction.
