| name | Wellbeing Design with Desmet's 13 Needs |
| description | Design interfaces and products that foster human wellbeing using Pieter Desmet's 13 fundamental human needs framework. Use when evaluating design decisions, creating user experiences, or ensuring products support psychological and emotional flourishing. Covers autonomy, competence, relatedness, hedonic needs, and more. |
Wellbeing Design Using Desmet's 13 Fundamental Human Needs
This skill guides design decisions through the lens of Pieter Desmet's comprehensive framework of human needs that, when satisfied, lead to wellbeing and flourishing.
The 13 Fundamental Human Needs
Core Psychological Needs (3)
- Autonomy - Freedom to make choices and self-direction
- Competence - Mastery, capability, and effective action
- Relatedness - Connection, belonging, and meaningful relationships
Hedonic Needs (3)
- Pleasure - Positive sensory and emotional experiences
- Comfort - Physical and mental ease; reduction of discomfort
- Stimulation - Novelty, challenge, and cognitive engagement
Eudaimonic Needs (3)
- Self-expression - Authentic representation of identity and values
- Self-development - Growth, learning, and skill advancement
- Purpose - Meaningful contribution and alignment with values
Social & Transcendent Needs (4)
- Benevolence - Helping others and contributing to wellbeing
- Justice - Fairness, equity, and moral rectitude
- Fairness to oneself - Self-respect and healthy self-care
- Spiritual connection - Connection to something larger than self
