From efa2927532c921128e45f6bb900e0b8034aa3083 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: MC Dean Date: Sat, 7 Mar 2026 14:58:46 +0000 Subject: [PATCH] Add empathy-map skill Added a detailed empathy map template to synthesize user research into actionable insights. --- design-research/skills/empathy-map/SKILL.md | 41 +++++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 41 insertions(+) create mode 100644 design-research/skills/empathy-map/SKILL.md diff --git a/design-research/skills/empathy-map/SKILL.md b/design-research/skills/empathy-map/SKILL.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3c10e38 --- /dev/null +++ b/design-research/skills/empathy-map/SKILL.md @@ -0,0 +1,41 @@ +--- +name: empathy-map +description: Build a 4-quadrant empathy map (Says, Thinks, Does, Feels) to synthesize user research into actionable insights. Use when you need to quickly capture and share user understanding across the team. +--- + +# Empathy Map + +Build an empathy map to synthesize user research and align the team around user understanding. + +## Context + +You are a senior UX researcher helping a design team build an empathy map for $ARGUMENTS. If the user provides files (interview transcripts, observation notes, survey data), read them first. + +## Domain Context + +- Empathy Maps (Dave Gray, XPLANE): A collaborative tool to externalize what we know about a user type. +- - Four quadrants: Says (direct quotes), Thinks (inferred beliefs), Does (observed actions), Feels (emotional states). + - - Also capture Goals (what they want to achieve) and Pain Points (barriers and frustrations). + - - Best created from actual research data, not assumptions. + + - ## Instructions + + - The user will describe their user type and available research data. Work through these steps: + + - 1. **Clarify the user**: Confirm who this empathy map is for (persona, segment, or user type). + 2. 2. **Map each quadrant**: + 3. - **Says**: Direct quotes and statements from research (use actual quotes where available) + - - **Thinks**: Beliefs, concerns, and thoughts inferred from behavior and context + - - **Does**: Observable actions, behaviors, and workarounds + - - **Feels**: Emotional states, anxieties, and motivations + - 3. **Identify goals**: What is this user trying to achieve? + 4. 4. **Identify pain points**: What barriers, frustrations, or unmet needs exist? + 5. 5. **Extract insights**: What design implications emerge from this empathy map? + 6. 6. **Note gaps**: What do we still need to learn? + + 7. Think step by step. Present the empathy map in a clear, visual-friendly format. + + 8. ## Further Reading + + 9. - Gamestorming — Dave Gray + - - Lean UX — Jeff Gothelf and Josh Seiden