(a) Design Beyond Generations

In today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape, designers often prioritize innovation and forward-thinking solutions, inadvertently neglecting the needs for aging populations. This happens because many designers think that older individuals are often perceived as less relevant and capable of engaging with emerging technologies. This turns into a cycle where older users keep getting left out as technology gets more advanced. ​

To break this cycle, we aim to spark discussions about age-inclusive design and question whether there are biases and ageism in current design approaches. Our session is dedicated to fostering conversations around what it truly means for designs to be age inclusive. We will explore the generational differences in the experience of design solutions – identifying not just the challenges but also discovering the opportunities we can make to further emphasize and promote age-inclusivity in our future design approaches. ​

By doing so, we hope to pave the way to more inclusive and fair design practices that considers the need of diverse age groups.

How might we be more age-inclusive in our design approach?
In this workshop, we will be facilitating focused group discussion with designers and users in the older age demographic. Together, we’ll explore their experiences and perspectives on what age inclusivity truly entails. Transforming their pain points into opportunities, participants will work together to co-create a framework guiding all future designs towards enhanced age inclusivity. ​

AT THE END OF THE WORKSHOP, PARTICIPANTS WILL GAIN: ​

• Engage in collaborative dialogue to define and explore the significance of inclusive design within the context of age-inclusive communities.​
• Increase knowledge towards personal bias and ageism​
• Deeper understanding of the generational differences and perspectives​
• Equipped with tools to better recognize biases in design ​
• Guidance on how to critically reflect on the application of age-inclusivity in future design approaches. ​
  
  About Singapore Design Week

One of Asia’s premier design festivals, Singapore Design Week (SDW) celebrates Singapore’s distinctive brand of creativity, exploring design through three defining festival pillars: Design Futures (the design of the future and the future of design), Design Marketplace (lifestyle trends with a spotlight on Southeast Asia), and Design Impact (innovative solutions for a better world). Organised by the DesignSingapore Council, SDW is a celebration of creativity and innovation, championing thought leadership and showcasing the best of design from Singapore and beyond.
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People of Design

‘People of Design’ honours the everyday visionaries among us who are making meaningful contributions to society through design. They come from all walks of life, but share a collective aspiration to make things better. This year, we invite everyone to join us in uncovering their own design potential to bring new and better outcomes to light – ultimately creating a more liveable and loveable Singapore.”

About the DesignSingapore Council

The DesignSingapore Council’s (Dsg's) vision is for Singapore to be an innovation-driven economy and a loveable city by design. As the national agency that promotes design, our mission is to develop the design sector, help Singapore use design for innovation and growth, and make life better in this UNESCO Creative City of Design. Dsg is a subsidiary of the Singapore Economic Development Board.

designsingapore.org