Design Thinking: Empathizing to Understand the Problem from edX

When you immerse yourself in the context of the user, you can uncover pain points and find opportunities for improvement or innovation not always evident to your audience.

In this course, part of the Design Thinking MicroMasters program, you will learn how to use simple research methodologies including active listening to understand your target audience and uncover their obvious or latent needs.

Emphasis will be placed on observation and interviewing as key methods to gain empathy for the user's experience and viewpoint. Equipped with this understanding, you will be prepared to identify and define more accurately the business problem.

You will also review case studies and discuss strategies to foster productive client-stakeholder relationships, including user personification, context understanding, and empathy idea mapping (ideas that resonate with your target audience).

What you'll learn

Recognize the user’s emotive response to context and circumstance (i.e. products, environments, and services)
Understand a holistic approach to problem solving
Plan research activities to gather and analyze data from a user’s viewpoint
Demonstrate an appreciation for creative methods to document user needs and illustrate future solution possibilities

What's inside

Learning objectives

Recognize the user’s emotive response to context and circumstance (i.e. products, environments, and services)
Understand a holistic approach to problem solving

Plan research activities to gather and analyze data from a user’s viewpoint
Demonstrate an appreciation for creative methods to document user needs and illustrate future solution possibilities

Recognize the user’s emotive response to context and circumstance (i.e. products, environments, and services)
Understand a holistic approach to problem solving
Plan research activities to gather and analyze data from a user’s viewpoint
Demonstrate an appreciation for creative methods to document user needs and illustrate future solution possibilities

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Geared towards understanding user needs for the development of products, environments, and services

Provides a comprehensive understanding of active listening and observation techniques, essential for user research

Facilitates the development of creative methods to effectively document user needs for future solutions

Knowledge acquired is directly applicable in diverse industries and fields where user-centric approaches are crucial

Enhances understanding of the holistic approach to problem-solving in the context of user research

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Design Thinking: Empathizing to Understand the Problem with these activities:

Find a mentor who has experience in user research

Show steps

Connect with an experienced user researcher who can provide guidance and support.

Browse courses on User Research

Show steps

Identify potential mentors
Reach out to potential mentors
Build a relationship with your mentor

Read 'User Story Mapping' by Jeff Patton

Show steps

Review this book to explore how user story mapping can help you understand your users' needs and create better products.

View User Story Mapping: Discover the Whole Story,... on Amazon

Show steps

Read the book
Take notes on key concepts

Learn about user research methods from the Nielsen Norman Group

Show steps

Follow tutorials from the Nielsen Norman Group to build your skills in user research and understanding user needs.

Browse courses on User Research

Show steps

Choose a tutorial
Complete the tutorial
Apply what you've learned to your own projects

Five other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all eight activities

Create a user persona

Show steps

Develop a user persona to help you understand your target audience and their needs.

Browse courses on User Persona

Show steps

Identify your target audience
Research your target audience
Create a profile of your ideal user

Participate in a user research study group

Show steps

Join a study group to discuss user research techniques and share your experiences.

Browse courses on User Research

Show steps

Find a study group
Attend study group meetings
Participate in discussions

Attend a user research workshop

Show steps

Attend a workshop to learn about user research methods and techniques.

Browse courses on User Research

Show steps

Find a workshop
Register for the workshop
Attend the workshop

Develop a user research plan

Show steps

Create a user research plan to guide your research activities and ensure you collect the data you need.

Browse courses on User Research

Show steps

Define your research goals
Identify your research methods
Develop a timeline for your research

Mentor a junior user researcher

Show steps

Share your knowledge and experience by mentoring a junior user researcher.

Browse courses on User Research

Show steps

Find a mentee
Develop a mentoring plan
Meet with your mentee regularly

Career center

Learners who complete Design Thinking: Empathizing to Understand the Problem will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Design Researcher

A Design Researcher uses qualitative and quantitative research methods to understand the needs of users, and then use those insights to design products, services, and experiences that meet those needs. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Design Researcher, including how to conduct user research, analyze data, and generate insights. It can also help you to understand the design thinking process and how to apply it to your work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Design Researcher

User Experience Designer

A User Experience Designer (UX Designer) is responsible for the overall experience that users have with a product or service. This includes designing the user interface, the user flow, and the overall interaction design. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful UX Designer, including how to conduct user research, create wireframes and prototypes, and evaluate user experience. It can also help you to understand the design thinking process and how to apply it to your work.

See salaries and explore the career path for User Experience Designer

Service Designer

A Service Designer is responsible for the design of services, such as customer service, healthcare, and education. This includes understanding the needs of users, designing the service experience, and evaluating the effectiveness of the service. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Service Designer, including how to conduct user research, create service blueprints, and evaluate service experience. It can also help you to understand the design thinking process and how to apply it to your work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Service Designer

Product Manager

A Product Manager is responsible for the development and launch of a product. This includes working with engineers, designers, and other stakeholders to ensure that the product meets the needs of users. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Product Manager, including how to conduct user research, define product requirements, and manage a product roadmap. It can also help you to understand the design thinking process and how to apply it to your work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Interaction Designer

An Interaction Designer is responsible for the design of the interactions between users and products or services. This includes designing the user interface, the user flow, and the overall interaction experience. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Interaction Designer, including how to conduct user research, create wireframes and prototypes, and evaluate user experience. It can also help you to understand the design thinking process and how to apply it to your work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Interaction Designer

Customer Experience Designer

A Customer Experience Designer is responsible for the design of the overall customer experience with a company. This includes understanding the needs of customers, designing the customer experience journey, and evaluating the effectiveness of the customer experience. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Customer Experience Designer, including how to conduct user research, create customer journey maps, and evaluate customer experience. It can also help you to understand the design thinking process and how to apply it to your work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Customer Experience Designer

Information Architect

An Information Architect is responsible for the organization and structure of information on websites, intranets, and other digital products. This includes creating sitemaps, wireframes, and navigation systems. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Information Architect, including how to conduct user research, create sitemaps and wireframes, and evaluate user experience. It can also help you to understand the design thinking process and how to apply it to your work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Architect

Human Factors Engineer

A Human Factors Engineer is responsible for the design of products and systems that are safe, efficient, and effective for human use. This includes understanding the human body and its capabilities, and designing products and systems that take into account human factors. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Human Factors Engineer, including how to conduct user research, design products and systems for human use, and evaluate the effectiveness of products and systems. It can also help you to understand the design thinking process and how to apply it to your work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Factors Engineer

Design Strategist

A Design Strategist is responsible for the development and execution of design strategies for organizations. This includes understanding the business goals of the organization, developing design strategies to achieve those goals, and evaluating the effectiveness of design strategies. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Design Strategist, including how to conduct user research, develop design strategies, and evaluate the effectiveness of design strategies. It can also help you to understand the design thinking process and how to apply it to your work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Design Strategist

Industrial Designer

An Industrial Designer is responsible for the design of products that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. This includes understanding the needs of users, designing products that meet those needs, and ensuring that products are manufactured in a cost-effective manner. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Industrial Designer, including how to conduct user research, create sketches and prototypes, and develop manufacturing plans. It can also help you to understand the design thinking process and how to apply it to your work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Industrial Designer

Software Engineer

A Software Engineer is responsible for the design, development, and maintenance of software applications. This includes understanding the needs of users, designing software applications that meet those needs, and ensuring that software applications are reliable and efficient. This course may help you develop some of the skills you need to be a successful Software Engineer, including how to conduct user research and design software applications. It can also help you to understand the design thinking process and how to apply it to your work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Web Developer

A Web Developer is responsible for the design and development of websites. This includes understanding the needs of users, designing websites that meet those needs, and ensuring that websites are accessible and easy to use. This course may help you develop some of the skills you need to be a successful Web Developer, including how to conduct user research and design websites. It can also help you to understand the design thinking process and how to apply it to your work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

Graphic designer

A Graphic Designer is responsible for the visual design of products, such as logos, brochures, and websites. This includes understanding the needs of users, designing visuals that meet those needs, and ensuring that visuals are visually appealing and effective. This course may help you develop some of the skills you need to be a successful Graphic Designer, including how to conduct user research and design visuals. It can also help you to understand the design thinking process and how to apply it to your work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Graphic designer

Marketing Manager

A Marketing Manager is responsible for the development and execution of marketing campaigns. This includes understanding the needs of customers, developing marketing campaigns to reach those customers, and evaluating the effectiveness of marketing campaigns. This course may help you develop some of the skills you need to be a successful Marketing Manager, including how to conduct user research and design marketing campaigns. It can also help you to understand the design thinking process and how to apply it to your work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Business Analyst

A Business Analyst is responsible for the analysis of business needs and the development of solutions to meet those needs. This includes understanding the needs of stakeholders, developing solutions to meet those needs, and ensuring that solutions are aligned with the business goals of the organization. This course may help you develop some of the skills you need to be a successful Business Analyst, including how to conduct user research and analyze business needs. It can also help you to understand the design thinking process and how to apply it to your work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst