Dimensions of user centric design in ICT

User centric design (UCD) strives to investigate and optimize access to desirable features of technologies and services. In information and communication technology (ICT), it initiated in 70´ in studies of ergonomics and easy-to-use telecommunication interfaces. These early day studies targeted to optimize human-computer interactions and to make telecommunication equipment easier to use. Development of mobile communications and internet services has greatly expanded the application area of UCD. Nowadays UCD is important part of internet/ corporate intranet development, social media, ubiquitous computing, and management of virtual organizations. It is realized that successful application of UCD can both greatly increase service business value as well as to boost service development e.g. open up new pathways for profitable service innovations. In this presentation we will first have a brief overview on historical development of UCD. Thereafter we summarize methodological UCD toolbox and review relating applications in ICT. We discuss our practical findings in UCD service design and organizational development. The presentation is concluded by summarizing future perspectives of UCD.