Actions and Reflections
Designing for Longevity: Enhancing Safety and Well-being for Active Adults
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Mingming Zhao
By 2030, one of every five people in the U.S. will be 65 or older, and approximately 47 million individuals will fit into the active adult demographic within the next 20 years (U.S. Census Bureau, 2019). Active adults, individuals aged 55 and older who maintain an engaged and dynamic lifestyle, have more specific needs than the general older adult population (National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care, 2022). Addressing their physical and psychological safety is crucial as they navigate life changes such as retirement, health fluctuations, relocation, sensory changes, and the pressure of learning new skills and technologies. This study explores the impact of environmental design on the physical and psychological safety of active adults, to address the question of what key design features can promote safety and well-being of this fast-growing segment. Grounded in the successful ageing framework (Urtamo et al., 2019), this study explores both biomedical and psychosocial factors influencing optimal aging. The methodology encompasses comprehensive secondary research for a market scan of existing technological and design solutions, case studies of active lifestyle design implementations, and a thorough needs and wants analysis via interviews and focus groups. The findings provide evidence-based design recommendations that enhance the quality of life for active adults, thereby contributing to the broader discourse on ageing well.
Integrating Biomimicry and Sustainable Materials in Design View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Iman Ibrahim, Dr.Karima Abdelaziz
This study examines the connection between sustainability and technology in the field of interior design education. It focuses on the need to incorporate biomimicry and sustainable materials into the curriculum for "sustainable interior environments" to bridge the existing gap. The aim is to assess the extent to which drawing inspiration from nature, in conjunction with artificial intelligence (AI) tools, can amplify students' creative thinking and ability to solve problems, hence promoting the development of new and sustainable solutions. Using a qualitative case study method, the study looks at how interior design students use biomimicry ideas and AI visualization tools to come up with sustainable interior design ideas. The study investigates how they conceptualize, develop, and create 3D-printed models by utilizing recycled filaments derived from plastic bottles and wood fibers. Information was gathered using student portfolios, interviews, surveys, and an evaluation of the final models to evaluate the implementation of sustainable design concepts. The results suggest that students effectively utilized biomimicry to create inventive and ecologically conscious interior solutions. AI tools enabled the investigation of natural shapes, while the utilization of recycled materials in 3D printing showcased the practicality of integrating sustainability into design education. The installations exhibited a wide range of sustainable strategies, including energy-efficient designs and materials that reduce indoor pollution. This research adds to the discussion on the significance of technology and sustainability in design education, emphasizing the possibility of using interdisciplinary methods to address environmental issues.
Integrating Design Thinking into Self-Help Groups: A Framework for Participatory Product Development
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Nabajit Deka, Sugandh Malhotra, Gene Bawden
This paper explores the integration of design thinking, particularly participatory design methods, into the operations of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in India, with the aim of fostering inclusive innovation and enhancing product development processes. Drawing from an extensive literature review, the study examines SHGs as platforms for collective action, focusing on the interplay between traditional knowledge and modern design practices. The review identifies significant gaps in existing design interventions, which often adopt a top-down approach, overlooking the tacit and traditional knowledge of SHG members. The research employs a qualitative methodology, including participant observations, semi-structured interviews, and fieldwork in two pilot case studies. The first case, Jhilmil SHG in Chaygaon, Assam, focuses on soap-making practices, revealing barriers such as limited member involvement in ideation and decision-making. The second case, The Antaran Project in Mirza, Assam, explores weaving practices and highlights challenges in integrating traditional knowledge with innovative design processes. Findings from these cases informed the development of a conceptual framework for participatory design, emphasizing co-creation, collective knowledge sharing, and the empowerment of SHG members. The final conclusion of this study is the conceptual framework, which aims to guide the integration of participatory design in SHGs for sustainable and scalable product innovation. Future work will focus on translating this framework into actionable design thinking toolkits that enable SHG members to leverage their traditional knowledge and skills for collective innovation and market viability. This research contributes to the fields of design thinking and grassroots innovation, offering a model for inclusive development in marginalized communities.
Inheriting Design: A Narrative Methodology for Tracing Cultural Dynamics in Design Praxis View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Ann-Marie Conrado
This paper introduces a novel narrative methodology for exploring how cultural values influence design practice, focusing on design educators' role in transmitting these values to future generations. Positioned within Design in Society: Value, Culture, and Knowledge Systems, it outlines the research framing, data collection processes, and challenges in understanding shared cultural frameworks alongside initial insights. Drawing on qualitative interviews with 35 Scandinavian design educators, the study traces personal histories from childhood through professional roles to reveal how formative experiences and societal dynamics shape design practice and pedagogy. By examining early inspirations and cultural influences, this approach investigates how shared values are embedded into creative practice and teaching, shaping the ethos of the next generation. It highlights the dynamic interplay between individual experiences and collective cultural values, showcasing oral histories as a tool to contextualize design practice, particularly in fostering critical consciousness and examining the role of design in challenging or reifying cultural norms. The focus on educators underscores the importance of mentorship and pedagogy in sustaining and evolving cultural narratives within design. As part of a larger, ongoing project, this research shares emergent themes and insights to encourage reflection on how life histories influence practice and foster more intentional and culturally attuned approaches to design and pedagogy.
