Designing Ahead - Mainstream design for an ageing population
We have an ageing population, but a reducing health and social care budget. Increasingly individuals will be expected to self-purchase products and services that will allow them to live independently. This will provide a large ‘silver’ consumer market for products that are designed and priced appropriately. Although there is some awareness amongst industry of this market opportunity, there is significant scope for more inclusive design of mainstream products that enhance independent living or support specific tasks and activities.
This networking conference will help delegates quantify the the scale of the market opportunity; explore the consumer needs of this population; how these needs translate into design requirements to drive product innovation; and what kinds of design tools and approaches can support design for an aging population. The programme includes a round table discussion on the challenge of getting products to market and will bring together commercial partners, users and cutting-edge researchers.
Confirmed Speakers:
- Dr Nigel Harris, Director, Bath Institute of Medical Engineering
- Patrick Jordan, Consultant - design, marketing and brand strategist
- Ed Matthews, Senior Research Fellow, Patient Safety and Healthcare, Helen Hamlyn Centre
- Craig Wightman, Design Director, Kinneir Dufort
- David Silver, Years Ahead
- Cambridge Engineering Design Centre, University of Cambridge
- Professor Arlene Astell, University of St Andrews
- Praminda Caleb-Solly, University of the West of England
- Simon Fielden, Coventry HDT
