Phase One - Empathize

[github-learning-lab]

This pull request is about the first phase of Design Thinking: Empathy.

Challenge question

Arguably, empathy is the most important stage of Design Thinking. The purpose of this stage is to gain an empathic understanding of the problem at hand.

Which of the following methods should a designer use to derive insights into user needs?

• Observation
• Engagement
• Immersion

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I'll respond when you check one of the boxes above.

[github-learning-lab]

Answer 🔮

All of those methods are important to gaining an empathic understanding of the problem at hand, so all of the answers are right.

The designer must:

1. Observe users and stakeholders in their daily work. Observation often provides the most objective identification of the problem requiring a solution
2. Engage users and stakeholders in interviews and conversations to develop the best possible understanding of their needs and objectives
3. Immerse themselves in the physical environment of the users

You'll read more detail about how to use empathy to design meaningful solutions in this pull request, which also includes a case study.

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⌨️ Activity: Empathize

1. Review the additions about the Empathize phase of Design Thinking in the Files changed tab. That's where the content for this topic in our Design Thinking Toolkit will come from
2. Approve this pull request
3. Merge this pull request
4. Delete the branch

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I'll respond when you merge this pull request.

[github-learning-lab]

You can find your next steps in your next pull request.