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Design Thinking for Social Change 2: The Mindsets, Steps, Skills and Methods

Assignment | Step 1 Empathic Interview

September 26, 2024 10:20 PM

Exercise Setup

In this exercise you will do an empathic interview with someone you know. You are encourage to do more that one to build your skills.

Take note that interviewing people you know is easier in some ways, and in many ways more difficult. Do your best to keep everyone on task (including yourself) in order to achieve the intended outcome.

Take advantage of this opportunity to stretch beyond your comfort level and interview one person who you do NOT know well.

 

Note: Be sure to read the "Interview" method in the Field Guide (page 39)

 

The Key Points

It's not just what your interviewee says that’s important, but the way they say it, their body language, their facial expressions and how what they say relates to the context and the environment.

Take notes during the interview. Even better, ask your interviewee if they mind you recording the interview on your phone and, if is possible, video-recording it.

Then listen or watch and notice what you may have missed.

Don’t ask leading questions, which is easier said than done. For instance:

  • “Isn’t it a drag to take your dog out for a walk every day?”
  • “Wouldn’t it be great if the dog-leash was always hanging by the front door?”

Avoid “yes/no” questions.

Don’t interrupt, but notice if your subject veers off topic and gently steer them back to what you want them to be talking about.

 

Exercise Instruction

Now that you have taken in the Setup, Key Points, Guidelines and page 39 of the Field Guild, you are ready to get down to business: the interview!

 

Next Steps:

  • Select someone you know to interview, who is willing to participate.
  • The topic is a simple and routine household (or work) chore (i.e., walking the dog, brushing their teeth, washing the dishes)
  • Perform the interview in the place where they typically perform the chore. Take a moment to ask if they mind you recording it on your phone and be sure to take pictures.
  • Have them demonstrate their routine and provide a commentary on what they are thinking.
  • If you notice something they are having difficulty with, or you find interesting in any other way, prompt them to tell you more about it.

Note: these are the raw materials to arrive at your design "challenge" that you are going to work on later.

 

Please share your thoughts (approximately 300 words).