How might design embrace empathy as an evolving, relational practice rooted in shared memory and quiet exchange?
Sep 2019 - Apr 2020 /
MFA DT Thesis (Independent Project)
Beyond Empathy
Beyond Empathy is a thesis paper and digital book that explores how design can create space for empathy to emerge. Through a series of reflective experiences, it examines what it means to design not from the outside, but from within—by becoming a participant in the process. Rather than documenting outcomes alone, the book captures the full arc of a design research journey—from personal narrative and conceptual development to questions of engagement and reflection. It begins with a story of loss, inviting readers into an intimate process of emotional connection and understanding.
Conceived during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic—when traditional forms of interaction and exhibition were not feasible—the thesis paper was reimagined as a digital book, transforming it into a quiet medium for connection during a time of isolation. A thesis trailer was created in parallel to complement the overall project and offer another way to foster connection and engagement with audiences.
This thesis was completed in 2020 as part of the requirements for the Master of Fine Arts in Design and Technology at Parsons School of Design.
Adobe Illustrator
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Adobe InDesign
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Adobe Photoshop
Designing as a Book
Originally, the final phase of this thesis was meant to involve direct interactions—inviting people to listen, reflect, and share. But during the early days of the pandemic, such in-person encounters became impossible. In response, I turned the thesis paper into a digital book, seeking a quieter, more introspective medium for connection. The book was not merely a summary of results; it became a vessel for the entire research journey—from initial questions and personal narrative to evolving themes of empathy, grief, and participation. The thesis trailer was developed in parallel, offering another entry point into the emotional tone of the work.
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The visual design of the book draws from a deeply personal moment: the morning I learned of my grandfather’s passing. The main colors—twilight blue and soft cherry blossom pink—were inspired by that moment. The deep blue evokes the early dawn sky I saw from bed—still, quiet, and dim. The soft pink recalls the fluttering petals I saw through the car window on the way to his funeral—both colors anchored in the sensory memory of that day.
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The front cover captures that early morning: a figure lying in bed, gazing at a faint crescent moon—recreating the moment of loss. The back cover contrasts it with a quiet shift: the bed now empty, cherry blossom trees in full bloom outside. Together, the book and trailer trace not just a thesis, but a lived process of memory, loss, and empathy in design.
