The ELDeR Project: Designing Pleasurable Technology for Elders

Speaker
Jodi Forlizzi
Assistant Professor, Human-Computer Interaction Institute, Carnegie Mellon University

When
-

Where
Newell-Simon Hall 1305 (Michael Mauldin Auditorium)

Description

The HCI community has been interested in developing technologies to meet Growing aging populations in the US, Europe, and Asia. The bulk of this work remains focused on the technical challenges of building robust systems. Because far less attention has been paid to social, emotional, and environmental needs, factors that play a significant role in the aging experience, many products meant to assist elders have been inaccessible and unsuccessful.

This talk will report the results of the ELDeR (Enhanced Living through Design Research) project, a four-month design research investigation into the experiences and needs of the aging population in the United States. Our most important finding is that aesthetics and product pleasurability must be considered when designing assistive for the aging population. In addition, design recommendations, based on our investigations, are provided for the creation of pleasurable and accessible assistive products.

Speaker's Bio

Jodi Forlizzi is an Assistant Professor in the Human-Computer Interaction Institute and the School of Design at Carnegie Mellon University. Her research involves understanding user experience, designing and developing technology products that bring people information in new contexts, and understanding and supporting interdisciplinary design processes. Currently, she is studying how information is communicated effectively in a variety of contexts, using words, pictures, sound, motion, and ambient information, without creating cognitive overload.

Jodi has been teaching at Carnegie Mellon since January. Prior to this time, she specialized in qualitative research for new product design, and developed intimate relationships with products ranging from pickup trucks to cell phones, and from information appliances to potato chip packages.

Jodi is trained as a communication and interaction designer, and received her Master’s Degree from the School of Design at Carnegie Mellon University.

Speaker's Website
http://goodgestreet.com/