This subtopic covers the role of empathy in human-centered design–the ability to deeply understand and share the feelings, needs, and experiences of the people for whom you’re designing. This involves putting oneself in the users’ shoes to gain insights into their challenges, motivations, and desires, which then informs the design process. Empathy is essential because it helps designers move beyond assumptions, making it possible to create solutions that truly resonate with and address the real-life contexts and emotions of users. This approach leads to more meaningful, user-centered solutions that foster a genuine connection between product and user. See topic 2.2.