The Design for Ageing Network (DAN)

Since early 2004, the DAN Network has been superceded by the Include Network. This page is for archive purposes only.
 

The DAN network was established in 1994, with funding from DG V of the European Commission.

The network acts as a Europe-wide forum for exchange of information, ideas and expertise related to design and ageing, and as a springboard for new collaborations at local, national and international levels.

Key activities:
Developing research and new understandings of the potential of age-friendly products and services; organising exhibitions and competitions; building an expert network in design and ageing; and raising awareness generally of the ned for good design in this area. The DAN programme was co-ordinated and monitored by DesignAge in conjunction with the Netherlands Design Institute, the Institute for Gerontechnology at Eindhoven TU and Art Center (Europe).

The result was a range of national and international exhibitions, seminars, competitions and design research programmes. local area networks were established, in particular in Germany and the Netherlands, and a newtork of international contacts has led to continuing work in this important area, and many independent initiatives.

After 1997, when DGV funding ceased, DAN continued to act as a catalyst for a range of European projects and collaborations including the influential PRESENCE programme. Since then it has functioned as a contact point for designers, researchers, marketers and private sector organisations.

It is our intention to develop DAN as an interface between research, design and industry, to encourage and facilitate an age-friendly world for the future. A first step in this direction will be to build up the profile of DAN members by including projects, products, research outputs and other information about their work. A further step will be to promote the expertise and specialist knowledge and skills of DAN members to forward-looking companies that want to enhance their consumer offer and develop a significant position in the older market-place.

The DAN membership database
Gives access to 300+ individuals and orgainsations with an interest in design and ageing. You can identify potential research partners, experts in specific fields, or like-minded individuals. The intention is to encourage collaborative working, to give a public face to the many researchers and designers already working on this subject, and to act as an access point for industry, commerce, retailers and service providers, who, along with public sector organisations, will deliver the age-friendly society of the future that DAN members are committed to facilitating.