Wishes for Furniture among Persons in the Third Age: Interviews with Users in their Homes
Author
Summary, in English
Designers’ work sometimes originates from a simplified view of human demands and needs, which may result in furniture that does not fulfill the user requirements. If we consider old people as one
group with fairly similar needs and demands rather than have realistic images of old people as a heterogeneous group there is a tendency that it will result in misguided efforts to design for wellbeing. The aim of the present study was to get understanding and insight in modern ageing and individual needs, wishes and aspirations for interiors and furniture, by thematic interviews of users in their homes. Eighteen persons aged 53-82 took part in the study. A thematic interview guide was used, covering themes such as comfort, pleasure, interaction and ideas of improvement of furniture and interior design.
The results demonstrate that products perceived as comfortable, flexible and pleasurable leads to attachment and emotional experiences as dignity, meaningfulness and freedom. It is also the case that different kinds of relations to furniture and interior design are valued and prioritized differently depending on the situation and the individual’s preferences.
group with fairly similar needs and demands rather than have realistic images of old people as a heterogeneous group there is a tendency that it will result in misguided efforts to design for wellbeing. The aim of the present study was to get understanding and insight in modern ageing and individual needs, wishes and aspirations for interiors and furniture, by thematic interviews of users in their homes. Eighteen persons aged 53-82 took part in the study. A thematic interview guide was used, covering themes such as comfort, pleasure, interaction and ideas of improvement of furniture and interior design.
The results demonstrate that products perceived as comfortable, flexible and pleasurable leads to attachment and emotional experiences as dignity, meaningfulness and freedom. It is also the case that different kinds of relations to furniture and interior design are valued and prioritized differently depending on the situation and the individual’s preferences.
Department/s
Publishing year
2010
Language
English
Pages
1-12
Publication/Series
Proceedings for the 7th Conference on Design & Emotion
Document type
Conference paper
Topic
- Production Engineering, Human Work Science and Ergonomics
Keywords
- Furniture design
- Interior design
- Experience
- Emotion
- Ageing population
Conference name
The 7th Conference on Design & Emotion
Conference date
2010-10-04
Status
Published
Project
- Development of the Swedish Wood and Furniture Industry for Consumer Oriented and Competitive PLUS-products