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Perspective and Use of Empathy in Design Thinking

Authors:
Andrea Gasparini

Keywords: Empathy; Design Thinking; Designerly Thinkinig; Service Design.

Abstract:
The paper takes a closer look into one of the main attributes of Design Thinking: Empathy. The motivation for doing so has its roots in the post Design Thinking period, which we are entering now, following a rich decade of use of this approach to innovation. Approaching a Designerly Thinking perspective of what designer do in practice, five different epistemological paths will give an understanding of the effects empathy has in the design process. Empathy is addressed by exploring two main aspects, the emotional and the cognitive. The theoretical perspective of Design Thinking, seen as a reflexive practice, or as creator of meaning, or even as a problem solving activity, is used to understand how empathy can be used in a design contexts. This aspect is then further analyzed using the results of a large workshop where Design Thinking was used.

Pages: 49 to 54

Copyright: Copyright (c) IARIA, 2015

Publication date: February 22, 2015

Published in: conference

ISSN: 2308-4138

ISBN: 978-1-61208-382-7

Location: Lisbon, Portugal

Dates: from February 22, 2015 to February 27, 2015