Short answer

When designing assistive technology for older adults, prioritize a user-centered approach that balances aesthetic appeal with essential functional benefits, ensuring the technology enhances, rather than detracts from, their lifestyle.

Field: Innovation & Design
Source: International Journal of Fashion Design Technology and Education (2019)
Method: Qualitative research and co-creation activities
Sample: 93 participants (37 interviewed, 56 in co-creation)
Evidence: Moderate effect

Older adults prioritize fashion and specific assistive functionalities in smart footwear to support independent living. This innovation & design research insight is drawn from a 2019 study published in International Journal of Fashion Design Technology and Education. Using Qualitative research and co-creation activities with 93 participants (37 interviewed, 56 in co-creation), researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When designing assistive technology for older adults, prioritize a user-centered approach that balances aesthetic appeal with essential functional benefits, ensuring the technology enhances, rather than detracts from, their lifestyle.

Study

Innovation & DesignHigh ImpactModerate effect

Co-created smart footwear priorities for independent ageing

Older adults prioritize fashion and specific assistive functionalities in smart footwear to support independent living.

International Journal of Fashion Design Technology and Education · 2019

Key Findings

01Older adults have specific footwear needs tied to their daily activities.
02Fashion preferences are a significant consideration for older adults when choosing footwear.
03Key priorities for assistive functionality in footwear include safety, comfort, and health monitoring.

Application

Design takeaway

How to apply

Conduct user research and co-creation workshops with the target demographic to identify their specific needs, preferences, and priorities before developing assistive products.

Project actions

01When researching a product for a specific user group, make sure to ask them what they like aesthetically as well as what functions they need.
02Use co-design methods to get users involved in creating the product ideas.

Method & Evidence

AimWhat are the co-created priorities and design directions for smart footwear that supports independent ageing, considering both fashion preferences and assistive functionalities?

MethodQualitative research and co-creation activities

ProcedureResearchers conducted interviews with older adults to understand their daily activities, footwear fashion preferences, and priorities for assistive functionality. Subsequently, co-creation workshops were held with a larger group of older adults to develop concept ideas for smart footwear.

Sample93 participants (37 interviewed, 56 in co-creation)

ContextAssistive technology for independent ageing, smart textiles, footwear design

Variables

IVCo-creation activities and interviews with older adults

DVPriorities and design directions for smart footwear

CVAge of participants, geographical location (within Europe)

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Inclusion of multiple European countries for diverse perspectives.
+Combination of interviews and co-creation for comprehensive user input.

Limitations

The sample size, while diverse across countries, might not capture the full spectrum of needs within the older adult population.

Reliability & validity

The qualitative nature of the study provides rich insights but may have limited generalizability. Triangulation of data from interviews and co-creation enhances validity.

Think critically

How might the definition of 'smart' footwear evolve as technology advances, and how can designers ensure future innovations remain aligned with the evolving needs and preferences of older adults?

Design Principles

"Integrate user-defined aesthetics and functional needs in assistive technology development to maximize adoption and effectiveness."

Understanding the nuanced needs and preferences of older adults is crucial for developing truly effective and desirable assistive technologies. This research highlights that 'smart' design must integrate user-driven aesthetic considerations with functional requirements to ensure adoption and impact.

What This Means for Your Design

Older people want shoes that are both stylish and helpful for staying independent, like having features for safety or health.

How to use in your project

1.Use this research to justify the importance of user research and co-design in your own design project, especially when targeting a specific demographic.
2.Reference the findings on fashion preferences and functional priorities to support your design decisions.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This research highlights the critical need to integrate user-defined aesthetic preferences with functional requirements when developing assistive technologies for older adults, as demonstrated by the co-creation of smart footwear priorities that balanced fashion with essential functionalities for independent living.

Source

International Journal of Fashion Design Technology and Education

‘<i>Smart – not only intelligent!’</i>Co-creating priorities and design direction for ‘smart’ footwear to support independent ageing.

journal · 2019

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about co-created smart footwear priorities for independent ageing?: When designing assistive technology for older adults, prioritize a user-centered approach that balances aesthetic appeal with essential functional benefits, ensuring the technology enhances, rather than detracts from, their lifestyle. Evidence: International Journal of Fashion Design Technology and Education (2019).
Why does "Co-created smart footwear priorities for independent ageing" matter for design?: Understanding the nuanced needs and preferences of older adults is crucial for developing truly effective and desirable assistive technologies. This research highlights that 'smart' design must integrate user-driven aesthetic considerations with functional requirements to ensure adoption and impact.
How can designers apply this research?: When designing assistive technology for older adults, prioritize a user-centered approach that balances aesthetic appeal with essential functional benefits, ensuring the technology enhances, rather than detracts from, their lifestyle.
What were the main findings?: Older adults have specific footwear needs tied to their daily activities.. Fashion preferences are a significant consideration for older adults when choosing footwear.. Key priorities for assistive functionality in footwear include safety, comfort, and health monitoring.
What research method was used?: Qualitative research and co-creation activities with 93 participants (37 interviewed, 56 in co-creation).
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2019 journal from International Journal of Fashion Design Technology and Education.
What should I do differently in my next project?: Conduct user research and co-creation workshops with the target demographic to identify their specific needs, preferences, and priorities before developing assistive products.
What are the limitations?: The study focused on a specific demographic and may not represent all older adults or all types of assistive footwear needs.