Design for Empathy
Step into the world of a chronic pain sufferer!
An insight into the life of an individual crippled with chronic pain. Presented as an interactive narrative, this work showcases the implications of living with chronic pain in a stigmatised society.
Timeline
2020
On the Other Side is an interactive narrative that uses gameplay to foster empathy and awareness around chronic pain. While chronic pain affects over 60 million people globally, it remains poorly understood, especially its mental and social impacts. Medical treatments often address physical symptoms but overlook the emotional toll and societal stigma patients face.
This project places players in the shoes of a chronic pain sufferer, offering an immersive experience of the isolation, frustration, and shifting relationship with their own body, encouraging reflection, empathy, and dialogue.
Intent
The project draws its intent from the everyday social challenges faced by chronic pain patients. It explores how these issues lead to varying degrees of social isolation and examines the complex, often strained relationship patients develop with their bodies—impacting their personal relationships and overall quality of life.
What is Social Effects of Chronic Pain?
Before arriving at a conclusive design direction, extensive research was conducted to understand the nature of chronic pain and its impact on sufferers. The research methods employed included the following:
Insights and inferences
A set of recurring keywords and behavioral patterns emerged, characterizing the disrupted lifestyle of chronic pain sufferers. Both literature review and personal interviews revealed frequent instances where individuals expressed an inability to engage in activities they desired—often restricted by persistent and unpredictable pain.
"
How do I stage this as an experience to raise awareness and incite empathy?
To portray the complex characteristics of chronic pain, multiple experiential concepts were developed and explored.
Narrative
The narrative follows a protagonist navigating a strained relationship, shaped by their experience with chronic pain. At key moments, the user is presented with choices—each carrying personal or social consequences. As the story unfolds, these decisions lead to various social confrontations, gradually revealing the stigma, isolation, and misunderstanding surrounding chronic pain.
To structure the narrative, the three-act storytelling model was adopted, comprising Setup, Confrontation, and Resolution.
In Act I, the protagonist and their environment are introduced, establishing the emotional and physical toll of chronic pain. Since a key consequence of chronic pain is the difficulty of making everyday decisions.
Act II presents branching storylines shaped by the player’s choices. These decisions carry emotional and social consequences, reflecting the complex realities of living with chronic pain.
Act III brings a reveal and a resolution that highlights the deeper challenges faced by the protagonist, offering closure without romanticising the outcome.
Solution
The final design solution is an immersive and interactive mobile experience that guides the player through the everyday struggles of living with chronic pain.
