Although there are many ways to understand empathy, most would agree that it is the rooted in the ability to understand and share the feelings of another individual. Last week, Antonio García, a strategist and storyteller, graced the stage to share some lessons learned on the intersection of empathy and design in his work at Firebelly and gravitytank. Antonio is firm believer in challenging oneself to be open to other individual’s perspectives. He recognizes that “empathy is an act of vulnerability” within itself. Go forth and explore some of the #CMTakeaways that were captured below!

My favorite part of @Chicago_CM are the name tags! Okay, and the 🍩🍩🍩. #CMtakeaways #CreativeMornings pic.twitter.com/tnMoQATnfz

— Kirsten Agnello-Dean (@Kirsten_AD)

September 25, 2015

Empathy requires understanding. Understanding requires rigor. #bringyourgrit #cmtakeaways

— Daniel Nguyen (@nguyenmints)

September 25, 2015

The new negative sandwich: I like…I wish…I wonder. -@a_m_garcia 🍞 #CMtakeaways

— Artisan Talent (@ArtisanTalent)

September 25, 2015

The new negative sandwich: I like…I wish…I wonder. -@a_m_garcia 🍞 #CMtakeaways

— Artisan Talent (@ArtisanTalent)

September 25, 2015

“This is how much I give a fuck.” Antonio speaking about communication with clients and developing empathy with them to create successful projects. #CMTakeaways #creativemornings

A photo posted by Jnette (@jnettealouette) on Sep 25, 2015 at 7:35am PDT

Psychographics>demographics. Identifying your audience isn’t the same as knowing them. Thanks @a_m_garcia #cmtakeaways

A photo posted by @katiedolaraolsen on Sep 25, 2015 at 7:50am PDT

Thanks to @a_m_garcia and @Chicago_CM for teaching us that empathy is a practice for better design. And to not be an a**hole. #CMTakeaways

A photo posted by iris Chicago (@iris_chicago) on Sep 25, 2015 at 8:15am PDT

Another great #creativemornings presentation. Thanks @a_m_garcia for reminding us to be empathetic for end users, clients (😤) and our teammates and also differentiating empathy vs sympathy. Loved the last comment. “Be excellent to eachother”. Great reminder to not design in a black box #feelinginspired #👍👍 #cmtakeaways

A photo posted by Vani Oza (@vanioza) on Sep 25, 2015 at 12:51pm PDT

Next up: Lifelong nomad, artist and scholar, Rashayla Marie Brown will be bringing her perspective to our Shock series on Friday, October 16th. Rashayla’s multi-disciplanary work work exploits the role of the artist as both an agent and an object of desire. This is a morning of creativity you definitely won’t want to miss. See you in a couple of weeks!

Double high five + the crisp air of fall!

Elijah