Abschlussarbeit, Praxisdokumentation

Empathic communication in design work

2020

Creator Antonio Herrera

Department ZHdK, Vertiefung Visuelle Kommunikation, VVK, Zürich, CH (gegründet 1981)

ZHdK, MA Design, Zürich, CH

MediumDossier (PDF, JPEG)

Dimensions51 Dateien, 6 Ordner, 80 MB

Titles

UntertitelA new approach to work relationships, the design process and design facilitation

StudienarbeitMaster of Arts ZFH in Design mit Vertiefung in Kommunikation

DescriptionFor designers, the ability to empathize is not part of a job requirement, and our communication skills are often taken for granted. When it comes to design processes, the emphasis falls more on delivering a product and less on the relationships among the ones creating it. Designers must fulfil important tasks in the workplace and manage relationships with clients, designers, and non-designers, which potentially creates friction. In this project, I outline how existing and new knowledge about empathic communication can be used in the design workplace as an attitude to approach and to improve work relationships and the design process. Moreover, I created a set of communication and reflection exercises for designers to use in their interactions during the design process.
As a result, I propose Kompath, a thought and dialogue toolkit that guides designers to communicate their feelings and intentions while enhancing professionalism. This will help designers move towards more balanced work relationships and make the design process easier. I argue that this approach has positive effects on the design work and creates a new role for the designer as a facilitator.

Object numberBBI-2020-C03-002

DepartmentArchiv ZHdK

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Credit LineZürcher Hochschule der Künste / Archiv