User centered design vs. Design

I think there is a lot of difference between User Centered design (UCD) and normal design. In UCD the user is the driver of the design, the needs of the user, his behavior, his problems are the core of the design. UCDs are focussed to address problems faced by the majority of the people and not towards the specific problem that the designer thinks exists.

For instance think about the CHI design problem. The issue is centered around "Act local", now if i were not a UCD person i would just think and brainstrom a list of problems, which in reality might not be a problem at all. I would get personal and bring out a problem statement based on my assumptions which are based on my experiences.

Whereas if i were a UCD person i would know that his is my problem space and talk to the users who are a part of the problem and try to solve a problem that a majority of users are currently facing.

Example:

Problem of Homelessness -

1. Non-UCD person : "I think that homeless people need access to internet that they can use to access information related to Social security, transportation, shelters, etc. "

Now here i am assuming a problem or making up a problem. Do homeless people really need internet ? Is the stuff they might be looking for on the internet at all ?

2. UCD person: Talks to homeless people, volunteers, etc. Does the user research and then designs a solution.

In a nutshell - it is really important to validate and verify the problem through user research and then attack the problem. Don't assume a problem and start solving it.