Empathic design: Research strategies

Thomas, Joyce

doi:10.4066/amj.2013.1575

Cited by 60Innovative Human-Technology InteractionDesign Education and PracticePersona Design and Applications

Empathic design: Research strategies

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Thomas, Joyce·2013·Australasian Medical Journal

DOI 10.4066/amj.2013.1575PMC PMC3575059

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Abstract

This paper explores the role of empathy within new product development from the perspective of human-centred design. The authors have developed a range of empathic design tools and strategies that help to identify authentic human needs.For products and services to be effective, they need to satisfy both functional and emotional needs of individuals. In addition, the individual user needs to feel that the product and/or service has been designed 'just for them', otherwise they may misuse, underuse or abandon the product/service. This becomes critical with a product such as a Zimmer frame (walker), when it fails to resonate with the patient due to any stigma the patient may perceive, and thus remains unused.When training young designers to consider the wider community (people unlike themselves) during the design process, it has proven extremely valuable to take them outside their comfort zones, by seeking to develop empathy with the end user for whom they are designing. Empathic modelling offers designers the opportunity to develop greater insight and understanding, in order to support more effective design outcomes. Sensitising designers to the different ways that individuals complete daily tasks has helped to diminish the gap between themselves and others (e.g. people with disabilities).The authors intend for this paper to resonate with health care providers. Human-centred design can help to refocus the designer, by placing the individual end user's needs at the heart of their decision-making.

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The collaborative process between users and software developers was critical in the development of a more user-centered, empathic design.
“This collaborative process between users and software developers was critical in the development of a more user-centered, empathic design [44,45].”
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Authors: Thomas, J.
Affiliations: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (US)
Corresponding author: Thomas, Joyce
ORCID: Thomas, Joyce
Venue: Australasian Medical Journal
Publisher: OMICS Publishing Group
Published: 2013-01-30
Volume: 6
Issue: 1
Pages: 1-6
ISSN: 1836-1935 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.4066/amj.2013.1575
PMC: PMC3575059
OpenAlex: W2049881257
Cited by: 60
References: 9
Citations by year: 2026: 1 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 2
FWCI: 10.91
Type: journal article
Language: de
Open access: diamond
doi.org
Locations: Australasian Medical Journal (publishedVersion)
Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
Topics: Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Human-Computer Interaction › Innovative Human-Technology Interaction
Physical Sciences › Engineering › Mechanical Engineering › Design Education and Practice
Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Human-Computer Interaction › Persona Design and Applications
Keywords: empathic design, human-centered design, new product development, emotional needs, stigma, walker design, people with disabilities, design education, health products

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