Empathy in Code: Designing for People

Writing code isn’t just about getting something to run. It’s about knowing who’s going to use it.

Take Duolingo. They didn’t just toss out a language app and hope for the best. They saw how people lose steam after a few days. So they added streaks, friendly nudges, and lessons short enough to finish while waiting for coffee. That feels like empathy.

The best tech doesn’t just work. It feels like it’s on your side. A banking app that pings you the second your card is used. Maps that tell you which subway stations actually have working elevators. These aren’t “extras.” There are signs someone thought about you before you even asked.

🐞 Beyond Bug Fixes

We’ve all been there.

You open an app.

You try to do a straightforward thing.

You end up muttering at your phone.

When the UK’s NHS COVID-19 app was launched, some people struggled to figure out how to log their test results. The fix wasn’t a big update. It was rewriting the instructions in plain English and cutting the steps in half. That came from listening to frustrated users, not just patching code.

Empathy means asking, “How will this feel for someone tired, stressed, or in a rush?” Apple’s Night Shift mode, which dims blue light at night, might seem small. But for people who can’t sleep after staring at a screen, it’s a quiet lifesaver.

👟 In the User’s Shoes

If you want to design for people, you have to see what they see.

• User journeys: Slack noticed new users felt swamped on day one. They slowed onboarding so features appear over time.

• Testing with feeling: Instagram didn’t just track clicks on “Close Friends.” They asked why people hesitated before posting. That shaped privacy settings that felt safer.

• Accessibility from the start: The Xbox Adaptive Controller exists because designers sat with gamers who had limited mobility. That opened the door for players who’d been shut out.

❤️ Coding with Care

Empathy isn’t a bonus. It’s the job.

• Design sprints with outsiders: Headspace tests with people who’ve never meditated. If it feels awkward, they fix it.

• Feedback that matters: Canva saw teachers using it for lesson plans. They built an “Education” mode with ready-to-use templates.

• Consider the impact: WhatsApp’s “Forwarded” label helps slow the spread of fake news. A tiny tweak, but it changes behaviour.

🌍 Lessons from the Field

• Success: Airbnb learned that first-time hosts worried about safety. They added ID checks and a 24/7 help line. Trust went up.

• Missed chance: A ticket site hid seat maps to speed checkout. Sales dropped. People want to see where they’ll sit.

• Looking ahead: Imagine a grocery app that knows you always buy oat milk and warns you before it’s gone. That’s empathy catching frustration before it happens.

🚀 Your Role

You don’t need to write code to make a difference.

• If you build: Add alt text like Twitter. Make a one-tap playlist like Spotify. Test with strangers, not just your team.

• Suppose you don’t: Speak up for designs that help people. Zoom added live captions after hearing from deaf users.

• If you use tech: Share ideas. Push for changes. Value people as much as pixels.

💭 Final thought

Empathy in tech isn’t about making things “nicer.” It’s about making them work for everyone. The next time you design, code, or pitch an idea, remember: you’re shaping someone’s day. Maybe even their week.

Make it feel right. People notice. And they remember. 💖