From Smart to Empathic and Integrative Hybrid Design

This chapter titled From smart to empathic and integrative hybrid design is inscribed in the book Transdisziplinäre Gestaltung, Essays der Folkwang Universität der Künste, co-edited by Shapiro, A.; Digel, M.; Wachendorff, I. The chapter proposes a groundbreaking paradigm that merges empathy, inclusion, and technology to meet human needs in hybrid environments where the digital and physical intertwine. Central to this approach is the role of art, which serves as a catalyst for creating emotional connections and fostering meaningful interactions between users, technology, and spaces.

Empathic design draws on methods like ethnographic observation and participatory action to identify unarticulated needs, create emotional spaces, and integrate users’ subjective experiences. Art amplifies these efforts by providing a medium for experimentation and reflection. In hybrid environments, art transforms technological processes into multisensory experiences, encouraging designers to adopt a more inclusive and creative perspective.

The text calls for actions such as expanding free Wi-Fi access, designing inclusive mobile applications, and increasing awareness of the societal value of art and design. These initiatives position art not just as an aesthetic element, but as a practical tool for shaping empathic, user-centred solutions.

By integrating art and technology, the chapter redefines urban environments, ensuring smart cities and hybrid technologies create equitable, human-centred, and inclusive spaces for diverse communities.