11th April, 2024
Empathy Tools Workshop
I was invited by Alice Stevens (Senior Lecturer at Arts University Bournemouth) to support an Empathy Tools session with her BA (Hons) Graphic Design students. We explored tools & techniques to better understand lived experiences of people from varying backgrounds & life stages (e.g. pregnancy, old age, blindness & Parkinson’s). The session was interactive, and intended to help students develop skills required for user-centred design.
Parkinson’s Simulator Gloves
These gloves replicate the tremors and muscle rigidity experienced by people with Parkinson’s, using weights and subtle vibrations. Designed to give students a hands-on understanding, they offer a powerful way to build empathy and awareness by simulating the physical challenges of the condition.
Wheelchair Empathy Experience
This exercise gives students first-hand insight into the mobility challenges faced by wheelchair users. By navigating real environments from a seated perspective, students gain a deeper understanding of accessibility, independence, and the everyday obstacles many people encounter—building awareness and empathy through experience.
Thank you to Alice Stevens (for inviting me along), supporting staff Marten Sims, Mark Osborne & Emilie Giles (for helping the session run smoothly), the BA (Hons) Graphic Design students (for their enthusiasm), and Arts University Bournemouth (for facilitating the event). 👩🎨