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• Social experiences like school assemblies, festivals (such as Diwali or Eid), sports events, or celebration days.
These events offer opportunities to bond, learn about different cultures, and create shared memories.
• Everyday items such as books, toys, stationery, lunch boxes, or utensils that are commonly used or
exchanged among students. Respecting and caring for these shared items builds responsibility and
mutual respect.

• Digital spaces like shared tablets, classroom computers, or online learning platforms where students
collaborate on projects or access resources.
• Social issues including inequality, displacement, poverty, or accessibility challenges. These issues affect
how different groups experience shared spaces and highlight the importance of designing inclusive
environments.

The Role of Empathy in Design Thinking
Empathy is the first stage of the Design Thinking process. It allows designers to deeply understand the people
they are designing for by stepping into their shoes.

Empathy

How to Practice Empathy
1. Observe: Watch how people use shared spaces — where do they struggle? What makes them happy?
2. Engage: Talk to users, ask open-ended questions, listen carefully.
3. Immerse: Try using the space or sharing the object yourself. Feel the challenges firsthand.

Empathy helps identify real problems and unseen needs, which leads to better design solutions.
Example: A student notices that the school notice board is too cluttered and hard to read. After talking to
classmates and teachers, she realizes no one knows who updates it. She designs a new digital version with
easy-to-update sections, making it more collaborative.
Real-life example:
Google’s creation of Recharge Zones and
Nap Pods shows the Empathize stage of
design thinking. By listening to employee
feedback and observing signs of stress and
fatigue, Google understood the need for
quiet, restful spaces. They responded by
designing calming zones with nap pods
and soothing elements, helping employees
recharge and boosting overall well-being and productivity.

Choosing Your Focus Area: Understanding Social Attributes
Before you begin designing a solution to a problem, it is important to choose one core attribute to focus
on. This attribute will guide your design process and help you stay connected to the real needs of people in
shared spaces.

Design Project: Design for Social Spaces—Through Empathy Building
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