What is empathic design?

Designing a product or service by considering the feelings of the users is called empathic design.

Empathic design, has three characteristics that distinguish it from other qualitative methods-
1. The design is based on actual observed customer behavior;
2. It is usually conducted through direct interaction between those who have deep understanding of the firm's technological capabilities and potential users;
3. It draws upon existing technological capabilities that can be somewhat redirected or imaginatively deployed in the service of new products or markets. (Excerpts from Wellsprings of knowledge, Dorothy Leonard).