In the world of design thinking, empathy is crucial for understanding and addressing the needs of users. This summer, we put this concept into practice by conducting a 5-day maker programme for children, challenging them to create prototypes specifically designed for cats. The journey involved visits to a cat café, where participants observed and cared for the kitties, gaining firsthand insight into the preferences and behaviours of their feline friends. This experience offered an innovative way for the participants to enhance their design thinking skills by focusing on empathy, observation, and creation.
Another Way of Communication
Unlike traditional user interviews, where feedback is often direct and verbal, interacting with cats required the participants to rely on patience and keen observational skills. Cats communicate through subtle body language and behaviours, which meant the participants had to pay close attention to details that might otherwise go unnoticed. This process of understanding “non-linguistic users” significantly enhanced their empathy, teaching them to be more attuned to unspoken user needs and feelings—an invaluable lesson for any aspiring designer.
Personalised Solutions: Creating Flexible User Experiences
As participants deepened their interactions with the cats, they learned the importance of maintaining boundaries and respecting individual preferences. Cats, being independent creatures, have varying habits—some enjoy perching on high spots to observe their surroundings, while others prefer curling up in warm corners. At times, they seek attention and petting, while at other times, they clearly signal a desire for solitude. This diversity reminded participants that even seemingly similar user groups can exhibit significant individual differences. There is no one-size-fits-all solution; we need to develop flexible approaches that can adapt to different users’ needs.
The Joy of Discovery: Bringing Ideas to Life
Armed with their newfound understanding, the participants embarked on the creation phase. After learning essential maker skills such as woodworking, basic programming, laser cutting, and 3D printing, they brought their designs to life under the guidance of instructors. The participants designed a variety of innovative prototypes tailored to the cats’ needs, including:
- A multifunctional wooden cat house for rest and play
- An automatic cat brushing machine to reduce staff workload
- A 24-hour automatic cat teaser
- A litter box with semi-automatic cleaning for staff convenience
The process of turning ideas into tangible products was both challenging and rewarding. The joy the participants experienced when they saw their creations being used by the cats mirrored the fulfilment that designers feel when their products meet user needs. This hands-on experience was a powerful reminder that empathy-driven design can lead to meaningful and impactful solutions.
Prototype Showcases
Conclusion: A New Perspective on Empathy in Design
Through this summer programme, participants not only learned basic maker skills but also understood how empathy and observation can inspire useful designs. By interacting with cats in subtle and non-verbal ways, they realised the importance of patience, persistence, and respecting user preferences. Great design requires not just technical skills, but also a wealth of empathy and creativity. Check out the details of our STEAM and design thinking training and other project showcases.
