Own Experience (method)

OWN EXPERIENCE

(method)

Brief description

A way to build empathy for people through first-hand experience. Invites you to take a person´s journey and experience their joys, conflicts and weariness. Feel and experience what is like to live in the world as someone else. The idea is to better inform your decision making and begin to understand people’s motivations and needs.

Step

Empathize

Input

Research and Discovery Plan

Output

Firsthand knowledge

Time

30 min to 2 hrs. per technique

Difficulty

2/5

People

1-2 (to execute)

Quick Guide

Identify whose experience you want to replicate.
Choose the tasks and activities you will perform.
Assemble what is needed to run a simulation.
Determine the best location.
Obtain the necessary access and permission(s), if it applies.
Conduct the targeted tasks.
Do each activity as realistically as possible.
Document your findings along the way.

Benefits

Helps you gain firsthand knowledge.
Fosters and attitude of humility.
Deepens your empathy for others.
Informs subsequent research activities.

Helpful Tips

Commit fully to the activity. Do not give up at early stage.
Ask another person (observer) to help you capture findings.
Simulate human conditions by using something that restricts you physically (empathy suit).