ABSTRACT
Supporting a greater diversity of species within human-dominated habitats has been proposed as a way of achieving both conservation goals and addressing the growing alienation of people from nature. To advance the vision of more biodiverse human habitats there is a need for a design practice capable of understanding and addressing the needs of nonhuman species within human-dominated habitats. Here I explore the prospect of using empathic design when designing for nonhuman species, through analysis and reflection on a design exercise intended to help designers experience the world from the point of view of other animal species. The data gathered from interviewing participants in the exercise suggest that trying to perceive the world from the point of view of other species may have positive effects on the design process, including a deeper understanding and more holistic view of the animal, changes in sentiment and real-world interaction with the animal, and increased curiosity and motivation for designing for the animal.
