8 The Whole Truth About Empathy
This chapter covers
- What empathy is and why designers need it
- How empathy can sometimes conflict with business
- Practical tips for developing empathy
Let me share one last piece of advice. It’s tied directly to psychology and is essential for understanding others. But it begins with understanding yourself and your emotions. When you can tune into your own thoughts and feelings, you’ll be better equipped to step into someone else’s shoes—to feel their struggles and challenges.
People often ask me, “Where should I start as a young designer?” Naturally, you might think of Figma or some other graphic tool, right? In an ideal world, every designer would begin with years of formal study in composition, color theory, and typography before ever touching a design tool. But today's reality is very different. Most aspiring designers dive in through online courses, boot camps, and mentorship programs. They learn Figma along with basic design principles, often through self-paced study, hands-on practice, and peer feedback rather than traditional academic training. While formal education is valuable, modern designers are proving that hands-on learning and iterative experience can be just as effective in building a strong foundation.