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In this article, the authors explore the notion of empathetic design. Focusing on research conducted in Finland, the article discusses the relationship between emotions and the design of interactive products. In addition, the authors show how empathetic design has changed the roles of designers and users and their relationships, as well as how designers’ tasks have shifted from traditional product design to a variety of other fields of application. In conclusion, the authors argue that the cornerstone of their research into empathetic design is an increased sensitivity to people, tools, collaboration and designing.

In this paper, we describe a design study on how families in Los Angeles experience nature, with a particular focus on how using alternative formats for research analysis and presentation can enrich a design research inquiry. Conducted in Pasadena, CA as a part of Super Studio, the year-long design research class emphasized knowledge building and sharing through design methods of analysis, exhibition, and concept prototypes. After conducting interviews and engaging participants with probes, the class built the results into an open-ended knowledge environment. The main observation from the exhibition – that Angelenos have a limited vocabulary for describing nature and their interaction with it – helped to define the opportunity for design intervention that created connection points between Angelenos and nature. There are few attempts to describe how probe returns evolve into design concepts. Showcased is a process that depends on the unique affordances of design as the vehicle for discovery and invention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]