Do not design "special products"

Do not design "special products"

I really like this RSA commentary which gives guidelines for designing for the elderly:

"1. Do not design 'special' products for elderly people.

2. The conventional approach to design through style or materials is obsolete.

3. Physical independence is the treasure. Design should encourage the body to work in a healthy way.

4. Find the balance between under-support and over-support.

5. Understanding good body use (what we should do) is far more important than data on what we can do'.

I think it's important for designers to realize that hand holding will get you nowhere with the elderly. They have literally "been there, done that" and we should design for their needs in a way that does not talk down to them or make them feel insignificant or that they are behind, especially when dealing with technology.

Humanity and a user-centered approach are essential tools when designing for the needs of that specific target group as it is now no longer acceptable to design from up on high, basing one's self on empirical data: "Ergonomic data may depict an articulated dummy to show what the body is capable of reaching. It is not part of design or ergonomic education to know whether such actions are healthy or natural. Elderly people may be able to reach a certain height, but should they?" A good read for product designers everywhere

Source  www.designcouncil.org.uk/mt/red/   Alexandra Sonsino

 

the sony playstation3 a very differnt aproach than x-box 360 but it takes a while. should cost around $500 the being the most expensive games console, but the cheapest blueray player (if blue ray becomes anything? remember the minidisc, sony?) much more living roomy than the 'inhale' x-box

Beemer Mille Miglia concept

interesting way of integrating BMW's 'flaming surfaces' theme with oldschool archetypes

running with your i-pod

kind of nice, combining running with your talking trainer i-pod
http://www.nike.com/nikeplus/#overview

what the f**k is this?

leuk voor een prijsvraag...
ook winnaar trouwens in Australie.

lekker rustig

The Lullabub cot rocker is an innovative product that will gently rock an infants cot, automatically and unassisted in a harmonic rhythm, to naturally settle and soothe a baby to sleep. The Lullabub subtly mimics the motion of a car and assists in the routine of settling babies, giving parents and carers more time to attend to other duties or catch up on some much needed rest!
en dat wint dan een australische designprijs!
zie ook http://www.designawards.com.au/ADA/05-06/CONSUMER/WINNER

is it a BMW? no it is audi with an over emphasis on the grill

Is it a volvo. It is audi with a split personality.

Has Audi lost it or is this just a miss step?

IPO student, laat zijn buggy in china produceren,

very cmpact but is it for kids or cauliflowers?

http://www.electroscoot.com

is this 'new design'?

perky and feminine

yes, it is a mobile, coming soon from SE

white still 'in' apparently?

source www.gsmarena.nl

personalization is in, so if you aint got a laser etcher,

better think of an alternative way of voiding your waranty ! brake fluid and wax?

audi concept car with esspresso machine in/on the

back seat, is that what we are all waiting for?

see shling system on http://www.ogio.com/

interesting carry technique!

new SUV from spyker, SUV of suff

herman millers newest innovation, yes led lighting!

the aim of the project was to produce something innovative in 2002, in a new market segment (not chairs).

so other companies also take along time to get to market!

stamped steel lamp, function and emaotion was the theam

nothing beats nature

incredible a beautiful saab!

Is it a plane or is it a lamp

fokker f27 friendship

en dit is dan het aller- allerbeste wat Nederland de afgelopen 100 jaar heeft ontworpen... zie ook http://www.design.nl/designnl/368.521.22439

new styling for skil, by npk, with nice ergo details ,

inc. led light directed at drilling point (round button at cable

funky folding electric scooter made from stainless steel alloy

http://www.ikoo.us/

this is what i call concepting, from IDEO, proposes a solution for a surgical instrument, with squeez trigger and twist nose for super steady control!

shit hot concept car, not so new but worth a look again

how to make a family sized car look sporty! Nice

burberry is back!

old people patterns hit the snow board world