Empathy Map

What is an Empathy Map

An Empathy Map is a collaborative visualization tool used to articulate what we know about a particular type of user. It helps teams develop deep, shared understanding of users by examining their thoughts, feelings, actions, and pain points.

Components of an Empathy Map

Key quadrants include:

• Says: Quotes and defined user statements
• Thinks: Beliefs, concerns, and aspirations
• Feels: Emotional state and worries
• Does: Actions and behaviors

When to create Empathy Maps

Use empathy maps during early design phases, when creating personas, before making key design decisions, or when team alignment on user needs is crucial. They're particularly valuable for building shared understanding in cross-functional teams.

How to develop Empathy Maps

Create effective maps by gathering user research data, conducting collaborative mapping sessions, focusing on specific user segments, and updating maps as new insights emerge. Use them to identify gaps in user understanding and guide design decisions.