Empathy in design thinking is the step you can’t afford to miss
Client:
Year:
Year:
Bank Jago, Bank SMBC Indonesia, GIZ
2022 - 2024
2022 - 2024
Frustrated with how complicated human-centered problems can be? Design thinking offers a structured approach to address these issues through practical, user-focused solutions. However, a common pitfall is rushing to implement solutions without fully understanding the users’ needs.
At C4C, we emphasize that empathy is not merely a complementary component—it is the foundational step in the design thinking process. Our training ensures that participants start every project by thoroughly understanding the users they are designing for. We believe that taking the time to empathize with users leads to better, more impactful solutions.
Understanding the basics of design thinking
Design thinking is centered around the user. It starts with empathy, followed by defining the problem, ideating possible solutions, creating prototypes, and then testing those ideas. The process is iterative, meaning you continually test and refine your ideas based on feedback.
At C4C, we emphasize that empathy is not merely a complementary component—it is the foundational step in the design thinking process. Our training ensures that participants start every project by thoroughly understanding the users they are designing for. We believe that taking the time to empathize with users leads to better, more impactful solutions.
Understanding the basics of design thinking
Design thinking is centered around the user. It starts with empathy, followed by defining the problem, ideating possible solutions, creating prototypes, and then testing those ideas. The process is iterative, meaning you continually test and refine your ideas based on feedback.
The image above illustrates design thinking’s five-step approach, emphasizing that it’s not a linear process. You may go back to earlier steps to refine your solutions, making the design thinking method dynamic and flexible.
Why empathy is key
One of the most common mistakes in design thinking is jumping into solutions too quickly. People are eager to create something new, but they bypass the empathizing stage. Empathy helps you understand not just what the problem is but also how it affects the user on an emotional and practical level.
Why empathy is key
One of the most common mistakes in design thinking is jumping into solutions too quickly. People are eager to create something new, but they bypass the empathizing stage. Empathy helps you understand not just what the problem is but also how it affects the user on an emotional and practical level.
The empathy map shown above is a valuable tool in the empathizing phase. It breaks down the user’s experience into what they think and feel, see, hear, say and do, and highlights their pains and gains, as explained below:
Using this map may help you to fully step into the user’s world, leading to solutions that resonate on a deeper level while executing the design thinking process.
You can learn more about design thinking through C4C’s training
C4C’s training ensures that empathy isn’t just an afterthought but the foundation of the design thinking process. Our hands-on, real-world approach teaches participants how to apply empathy-driven solutions, making our program both practical and impactful. Trusted by leading institutions such as Bank Jago, Bank SMBC Indonesia, and GIZ, we ensure you walk away with a clear understanding of design thinking, ready to make a difference.
Once again, empathy is the key to a meaningful design thinking process—and it’s a step you can’t afford to skip.
- What do they think and feel? Capture the user’s internal concerns and aspirations.
- What do they see? Explore their environment and what influences them.
- What do they hear? Focus on external opinions they listen to, from friends, family, or colleagues.
- What do they say and do? Consider their actions and public behavior.
- Identify their pain points (frustrations) and gains (what success looks like for them).
Using this map may help you to fully step into the user’s world, leading to solutions that resonate on a deeper level while executing the design thinking process.
You can learn more about design thinking through C4C’s training
C4C’s training ensures that empathy isn’t just an afterthought but the foundation of the design thinking process. Our hands-on, real-world approach teaches participants how to apply empathy-driven solutions, making our program both practical and impactful. Trusted by leading institutions such as Bank Jago, Bank SMBC Indonesia, and GIZ, we ensure you walk away with a clear understanding of design thinking, ready to make a difference.
Once again, empathy is the key to a meaningful design thinking process—and it’s a step you can’t afford to skip.
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