As the market for products aimed at older users explodes, some entrepreneurs are turning to a radical idea: actually get the customers involved, reports Andy Wright.
Listening time: Longevity Explorers is part of an experiment to improve the way technology is developed for older adults. It’s mostly about just sitting and listening to what they have to say.
A common mistake: Designers commonly assume around the age of 60 people lose interest in aesthetics and design, and this can have dire consequences for products meant to help people with their health: they simply won’t adopt them. The list of lousy products for older people is long.
Fighting back: The Stanford Center on Longevity is helping to bring a number of more slick, easy-to-use products for older consumers to market. A handful of major companies are trying to set an example by doing something similar. And designing for older users doesn’t only benefit them. It turns out that it can lead to good design decisions for everyone.
See the full story here: https://www.technologyreview.com/s/614167/why-are-products-for-older-people-so-ugly/?