Design for Empathy: Why It Matters

Design for Empathy: Why It Matters

Introduction: Why Empathy Needs Design

We often assume empathy is spontaneous. A feeling that arises naturally. However, research shows empathy can be strengthened—or blocked—by the environments, stories, and systems we live in (Decety & Jackson, 2004). That’s where design comes in. 

As an experience designer, I see empathy not just as a personal trait, but as something we can intentionally invite through spaces, stories, and sensory cues.

The Psychology of Empathy

• Affective empathy: feeling with someone.
• Cognitive empathy: understanding someone’s perspective.
• Compassionate empathy: taking action based on that connection.

Psychologists like Paul Ekman and Simon Baron-Cohen have shown that empathy is multi-layered and shaped by bothbiology and culture. Neuroscience adds that sensory input and narrative play critical roles in activating empathy (Zaki, 2014).

Why Design Matters

Empathy doesn’t happen in a vacuum. The design of an experience—whether a workshop, a ritual, or a digital interaction—can heighten or dull it.

Examples:

• Storytelling formats that encourage perspective-taking can increase empathy across groups (Green & Brock, 2000).
• Sensory environments (music, light, touch) can shape emotional openness (Krueger, 2014).
• Shared rituals can transform grief or caregiving into collective resilience.

When we design for empathy, we create intentional conditions for people to connect, remember, and care.

Applications in Aging and Legacy

For families, empathy design can mean creating structured conversations where identity and memory are honored. For organizations, it may mean designing care environments that support dignity and belonging.

In legacy work, empathy ensures that stories aren’t just told, but felt. It allows younger generations to not only hear the past but step into it, carrying forward what matters most.

Looking Ahead

Designing for empathy is not only about making people feel something specific but also about making space where authentic feelings can arise.

That’s the work of SenStoria, the Storyfeeling Lab, and the IXP Lab—creating experiences that help people listen differently, connect deeply, and build legacies of care.

References

• Decety, J., & Jackson, P. L. (2004). The functional architecture of human empathy. Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience Reviews, 3(2), 71–100.
• Green, M. C., & Brock, T. C. (2000). The role of transportation in the persuasiveness of public narratives. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 79(5), 701–721.
• Krueger, J. (2014). Affordances and the musically extended mind. Frontiers in Psychology, 4, 1003.
• Zaki, J. (2014). Empathy: A motivated account. Psychological Bulletin, 140(6), 1608–1647.