Part 3 – Putting empathy into products.

The solution phase

With a defined problem statement in hand, the goal from here forward is to address them in a concrete way that is easy to comprehend and intuitive. It is important to use the same level of empathy as the research phase and put yourself in the user’s shoes.

You will often find that there is more than one way to solve this problem. At this point, the trick is to A|B test, A|B test, A|B test. It adds more feedback to the initial research and makes the process even more empathetic. Start with low fidelity prototypes intended only for AB testing to gather the information that will impact further refinement. This is not intended to be the final stage of the design process; it is about finding the best solution, and will often require multiple cycles from research to prototype before production.

After the optimal solution for the problem has been defined, high fidelity prototypes are executed, and will be refined before handing over for execution. Even though your high fidelity prototype is the most refined version to date, don’t ignore any feedback before deployment to ensure the best product is delivered at launch.

Conclusion

Human experiences are valued today more and more. It is no surprise that human-centered designs are going to be front and center when it comes to creating a product, service or experience that sticks.

The goal is simple: understand the needs and concerns of real people and design solutions that meet them. For this to happen, designers must employ empathy and compassion for the very people that use the products they deliver. This, along with thorough research, will lead to an immersive and pleasant experience and create solutions that are truly designed for humans.