Students immersing themselves in empathic design – A case study of Finnish 8th graders’ crafting process

Abstract

In this study, we explore the integration of user-centred and empathic design approaches within Finnish basic education craft studies, in which students engage in a holistic craft process, from ideation to planning, making and reflection. Data were collected from eighth‑grade students and analysed using a multimodal approach to capture the varied ways in which the students expressed and developed their design thinking. The findings show that embedding empathy and user-oriented perspectives into the craft process enhances the meaningfulness and perceived relevance of the products to the students. These approaches also contribute to greater product longevity, as students design with real users’ needs and emotional experiences in mind. However, the successful implementation of empathic and user-centred design requires sustained pedagogical support throughout all stages of the craft process. This study highlights the importance of teacher facilitation in helping students translate empathic insights into concrete design decisions, ultimately enriching both the learning experience and the quality of the final products