Designing Empathy. Making It Visible.
Raising emotionally resilient children begins with one fundamental skill: empathy. In collaboration with Ashoka Indonesia, Designata developed an illustrated book designed to support caregivers and educators, from parents to teachers, in nurturing emotional intelligence at home and in the classroom.
The core objective was clear: to help shape a generation that is not only academically capable but also emotionally competent and prepared for the complexities of the 21st century. The book introduces children to a wide spectrum of emotions, equipping them with the vocabulary and awareness needed to recognize, understand, and regulate their feelings.
Designing for emotion presents a unique challenge; emotions are invisible, abstract, and deeply personal. To address this, we created a distinctive visual system centered on abstract forms, brought to life through expressive facial cues and gestures. These humanised yet non-literal characters allow children to connect with emotions without being limited by specific identities.
We deliberately chose not to use realistic human figures. In a country as culturally diverse as Indonesia, representation matters. By developing inclusive, non-specific characters, the book becomes universally relatable across different ethnicities, backgrounds, and communities.
The overall design language is friendly, accessible, and inviting. Photography and illustration are carefully balanced to ensure clarity and warmth, making the book easy to read while remaining visually engaging. Interactive worksheets are integrated throughout, encouraging meaningful dialogue and shared reflection between adults and children, transforming the book from a reading material into a collaborative experience.
This project stands as another milestone in our long-term partnership with Ashoka Indonesia. Built on years of mutual trust, we were given the creative freedom to shape the visual direction and character development from the ground up. That trust enabled us to fully explore the concept and deliver a solution that feels thoughtful, inclusive, and impactful.
