Design Challenge: How might we make the Empathy Tent a more engaging space?
What is the problem you’re trying to solve?
We want more people to get involved in the empathy tent.
2) Now state the ultimate impact you’re trying to have.
engagement
involvement
participation
connection
support
3) What are some possible solutions to your problem?
Think broadly. It’s fine to start a project with a hunch or two, but make sure you allow for surprising outcomes.
engagement attracts engagement
create a fun community of engagement
a positive feeling would attract others.
have questions of the day that people can engage in.
4) Finally, write down some of the context and constraints that you’re facing.
They could be geographic, technological, time-based, or have to do with the population you’re trying to reach.
permits
wind/weather - could blow over
other events taking the space
people are busy and don't want to engage
people don't want a big commitment
5) Does your original question need a tweak? Try it again.
no, works well
What are the aspects of the challenge that you already know a lot about? What are your assumptions?
Examples
- I know it’s difficult, if not impossible, to find fresh fruit in my neighborhood.
- I’m under the general assumption that unhealthy options are cheaper than their healthier counterparts
I've already had experiences with the empathy tent
a percentage of people just want by and don't even give eye contact
a percentage of people stop and talk
I found that flyers on the tent poles attracted people to look and read them. I could then go over and talk the the people
handing out flyers at the BART entrance was not successful. people came up the escalator and didn't want to take a flyer
flyers are large.. saw smaller flyers that seemed to work well. maybe a tri fold
Where are the aspects of the design challenge where you need to learn more? What don’t you know?
Examples
- Do people who need healthier food options want to eat healthier?
- Are healthy food options generally accessible to people? Where do they go to find them?
need to generate and test ideas
test topic areas
empathy in healthcare, animals, for police, for homeless
what are people stopping or not stopping?
people don't' seem to stop if you look lonely..
more about my own state of mind standing there.
Project: dialog with a homeless person -
create a quick prototype
community members come by to empathically listen to a homeless person.
Check with homeless go pro, homeless groups,
participant practice Pre, empathic listening. talk about your feelings, exceptions and any concerns about the dialog..
Then listen for 45 minutes.
Then do post empathy circle.
A. People to Learn from (Precrafted—3+ individuals // Personal—8+ individuals)
family
friends
B. Experts to Speak to (Precrafted—1+ expert // Personal—3+ experts)
UC marketing dept.
C. In-Context Immersion Locations (Precrafted—2+ locations // Personal—4+ locations)
passersby of the empathy tent
D. Analogous Inspiration Locations (Precrafted—1+ location // Personal—3+ locations
Post Office Protest tent
have candy
a project of creating the garden worked well
other tents
Farms Market.
Build an Interview Guide
Hi, How are you today?
I'm ___ from the empathy tent and we're a movement to address the empathy deficit in our communities by creating more empathy.
We're also working on a project on how to engage people in our movement.
Could I ask you a few questions about your sence of engagment in the empathy tent?
What attracted you to come over?
What would aissit you in getting more involved?
When have you really been engaged in something? tell the story?
When have you really NOT been engaged in something? tell the story?
Why is that important to you, 5 whys?
Thank you!