In the context of design thinking, “empathize” is the first stage of the process. It involves gaining a deep understanding of the people you are designing for. This stage is focused on observing, engaging, and immersing oneself in the users’ experiences to understand their needs, emotions, motivations, and challenges.
Key activities in the empathize stage include:
- Observation: Watching how people interact with their environment and products in real-life settings to gain insights into their behavior.
- Engagement: Conducting interviews or conversations with users to understand their experiences, feelings, and perspectives.
- Immersion: Experiencing the user’s environment first-hand to develop a deeper understanding of their needs and challenges.
The goal of this stage is to gather as much information as possible about the users, so the subsequent stages of design thinking are based on real human needs and insights, rather than assumptions.
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