+SeniorDesignLab
Better products for everyday life
We believe that regardless of age, previous theoretical or practical knowledge and professional background, countless ideas can be developed together and in a very short space of time to counter demographic change. But what contribution can senior citizens make by taking part in a creative process? What concrete impact can they have on innovations? or What conditions must be in place for senior citizens to be able to participate efficiently in a creative process? The +SeniorDesignLab project gets to the bottom of these and many other questions. In addition to designers, engineers and psychologists, senior citizens in particular are involved in the entire development process. The aim is to develop an innovation and service model based on the design thinking process in order to secure the innovative strength of companies in times of demographic change. In particular, by adapting the design thinking process in the form of integrating senior participation, the potential impact of senior citizens in creative and innovation processes becomes clear. In order to realise the project, central difficulties and key topics relating to the everyday lives of senior citizens are specifically addressed in focus groups. The aim is to gain a deeper understanding of the typical everyday routines, personal constitution and attitudes as well as challenges of senior citizens. This in-depth knowledge of the needs, attitudes and wishes of today's senior citizens enables companies to develop an understanding and empathy for this special and dynamic target group. As a result, companies are able to respond to their ageing customers in good time and thus react to future product or service requirements. Based on the results of the focus groups and with the help of a customised design thinking process, +SeniorDesignLab workshops will be developed and carried out to generate ideas. The resulting ideas will then be designed and produced as prototypes in FabLabs as part of a customised sprint lasting several days.
Further information can also be found on the project website.
Duration:
2017 - 2020
Funding body:
European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
Partner:
