At the Royal College of Art
PRESENCE Tea party (March 1998)
As a strand in the PRESENCE project, a series of 'Tea parties' was held in different countries bringing designers and researchers together to discuss issues related to user research in design. The results fed into the 'The Methods Lab: user research for design', an overview or user-research methods set out in an accessible format. This is also published as part of 'PRESENCE: new media for older people', which gives an account of the whole research programme. The 'Methods Lab' work will be advanced as part of the i~design research programme.
User Research for Design (November 1997)
The Forum presented a unique opportunity for researchers and designers from across Europe to be introduced to each other's work, to share best (current) practice and to begin to identify key issues for improvement in the future. The Forum marked the beginning of the PRESENCE research project, a 2 year i3 (Intelligent Information Interfaces) research programme on telematics and older people with test sites in Italy, Norway and The Netherlands. A book of abstracts is available in the Inclusive Design Special Collection.
Working Together (October 1996)
A follow-on from 'Setting a New Agenda for Design', this seminar explored ways in which young designers and older people could benefit from a closer association. In particular it looked at precedents set by the RCA like User Forums, which bring older users into the College to work with young students, Industry Workshops and Design Study Groups. The outcomes are documented in an RCA publication 'Working Together a New Approach to Design'.
Setting a New Agenda for Design (April 1995)
Some 50 members of the University of the Third Age joined with representatives of the Civil Service Pensioners Association and the Retired Service Volunteers Organisation gathered at Carpenters hall in London to work with staff and students from the Royal College of Art on a 'New Agenda for Design'. Within a few hours the groups generated hundreds of design ideas, and identified priorities in Design for an Ageing Population. The event was captured in a publication designed as a self-help manual or design study pack, for DesignAge groups within the University of the Third Age, seeking to influence designers and manufacturers and educate them about the needs and aspirations of older consumers.
Launch of the Design for Ageing Network (July 1994)
A meeting in Amsterdam bringing together key contributors to the November 1993 conference. Subsequently an application was successfully made to the EU for financial support for the European Design for Ageing Network (DAN) and a range of action-research projects documented in its newsletter.
Designing for Our Future Selves (November 1993)
A three-day conference organised as part of the European Union 'Year of Older People 1993'. 400 participants from 23 countries exchanged views and shared research and design results. A 130 page background publication details work carried out at the RCA, under the DesignAge programme throughout 1993, as a contribution to the year's activities, and contains the results of interviews with leading designers, an overview of the European Demographic shift, an overview of design strategies for the older market, and the outcome of an action-research programme in collaboration with Safeway Stores. A companion exhibition of combined student and professional work called "Beyond the Zimmer Frame" was staged at the RCA.
Transport and Vehicles for Our Future Selves (January 1993)
A seminar and workshop at the RCA, chaired by Karl Ludvigsen, ex Vice-President of Ford Europe, with contributions from Richard Seymour, Terence Bendixson, OECD, Mike Boyle, AA Foundation for Road Safety Research, Ken Greenley and Nigel Chapman of RCA Vehicle Design, and other leading researchers and commentators. Edited proceedings published in 'Designing For Our Future Selves', Coleman (ed), 1993, unedited transcript in Inclusive Design Special Collection.
Fashion & Textiles for our Future Selves (February 1993)
A seminar and workshop at the RCA, chaired by fashion designer Jeff Banks, with contributions from Brian Goldbold of Marks & Spencer, Lady Sally Green gross of Age Concern, Joanna Bowring of Courtaulds International Fabrics, and other leading researchers and commentators. Edited proceedings published in 'Designing For Our Future Selves', Coleman (ed), 1993, unedited transcript in Inclusive Design Special Collection.
Design for our Future Selves (March 1992)
A conference jointly organised with the UK Ergonomics Society. Proceedings published as a special edition of Applied Ergonomics (Vol 24 No.1 Feb 1993). Joint Guest Editors, Roger Coleman and David Pullinger. Described by the Scientific Editors as "A landmark in applied ergonomics and designing for the elderly." Contains articles by, Bill Moggridge of IDEO, James Woudhuysen, now Professor of Forecasting and Innovation at De Montfort University, Maria Benktzon of Ergonomi Design Gruppen, and other leading researchers.
DesignAge exhibitions have included:
Design for Ageing Network travelling exhibition (1996-7)
After a launch in London, the exhibition visited Amsterdam Portugal, Sweden, Norway, Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Finland and Belgium
Designs for our Future Selves, Dean Clough Galleries, Halifax & RCA (1995)
A composite exhibition of some of the best entries for both the DesignAge competition and the Student Design Awards New Design for Old section
Multigenerational Product Challenges (1993, 1994)
Organised jointly with the Design Business Association and shown at the RCA and the Design Museum, London
Beyond the Zimmer Frame RCA, (1993)
A combined exhibition of student and professional work as part of the International Designing for Our Future Selves conference
The Creative Powers of Age, National Theatre, London (1993)
A collaboration with the University of the Third Age in London