PC Seniors: What are the senior citizen expectations in terms of use, services and design.
The product must be easy to use and very obvious. It should not be a re-design for middle age people but a global design strategy taking into account their needs, difficulties and worries about technology. This project aimed at demystifying the computer and its technology.
End of study project in partnership with the company Packard Bell (September 2004 - February 2005). Thanks to this partnership I visited the company, factory and discovered their work process.
I also had regular contacts with professional designers evaluating my work and sharing with me
their needs in terms of concept research and product development.
Created in 1991 and present in Europe, Asia and South America, Packard Bell, Europe's favourite computer brand, is one of the most innovative company and one of the companies filing the most patents in the world.
Some of their innovation are:
- keyboard with direct access key to multimedia functions
- free technical support
- colour coded wire for easier spotting
- internal CD, DVD player/recorder
Packard Bell
PC for seniors
Who are the “Seniors”?
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People aged 50 to 80. This new generation is reinventing retirement and wants to be usefull to the society and the world. Progress in healthcare means that they are very active and are not afraid to learn new things.
Old age is delayed but worries persist. Seniors are concerned with health deteriation, loss of independance, self suffiency and loneliness.
2005 sees the firts babymoomers pensionners. They have grown in mass consumption society and they believe in science and progress. This generation is 30% wealthier than under 50’s (end of mortgage, higher savings, children leaving home...) although a lot of inequalities appears amongst them.
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Nowadays the majority of Seniors live in their own home
and 1/5 of them have a secondary house. They are worried of becoming dependant, marginalized or being considered invalid. They are looking for novelty and are thirsty for knowledges and personal development. They are not technophobes, like to keep a busy mind and use internet to stay connected and break loneliness.
Senior customers are more difficult to seduce but are more loyal. They are ready to invest in long lasting and sustainable products offering real innovation but are not receptive to redesign aimed at boosting sales. In a computer, they research efficiency, ease of connection and set-up rather than look.
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Successful brands for Seniors place emotions at the heart of their campaign, they focus on assistance, reception and advice. Their product look authentic and natural in line with traditions.
Quotes from a free introduction course to Internet:
- « I started to not lag behind! »
- « If one day I buy a computer I want it to be able to do everything. »
- « Too many fuctions not being used, I would like a computer made
specificaly for my needs. »
- « If I have the link, I don’t need to have the book. »
- « I worry about not knowing how to use this computer. »
- « Easy to use, at my age we don’t have time to lose! »
- « A computer small enough to be carried everywhere but with a large
screen! »
Products designed for Seniors focus on large print size, ergonomics, hand grips, strength reduction but lack good aesthetics and tend to look too clinical.
Phase 1: Analyse
Using key elements from the previous study to translate the target needs into product elements.
Resemble existing product
All in One
Comfort
Materialize
Reassuring by looking like familiar objects.
Accentuate the similarities with a TV.
Become part of the furniture
- Takeaway remote control to take notes and watch videos
- Highlight the information feature, directly linked to internet:
journal, a diary
- Furniture, picture frame or remote control with new functions
and ergonomics
In general Seniors buy all at once.
Ease of transport
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To be at home everywhere. Tactile and warm material
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Modular, versatile, answering individual needs
Ease of connection, simple “clic”. Avoid multiple connections
Foldable - Laptop architecture, able to print and scan
Possibility to switch to paper anytime, anywhere.
Being able to share with those not using computers
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One function per page, sliding pages
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Size / volume to be minimum. Reducing home and travel overload
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Stop computer to be hidden in a cupboard
Improve visual comfort - shade, extra screen, automatic brightness level
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Help user to concentrate on his task, adapt ergonomics
A computer which recognises its users and adapt its interface.
Takeaway user profile for safety measure
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Bespoke - Security - Confidentiality
Improve beginners accessibility by giving tangible form to some actions.
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Keep a written/printed trace. Visualise opened applications
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Externalise, remove some commands from the screen
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Better grip, keys and buttons
Phase 2: Conceptualisation
Customised reception and helpline, recognition, help, advice, answer customer’s questions, needs and worries.
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Product ready to use, app instalation, customisation...
Extend - Widen
Reduce size while improving experience and comfort. Motion and gesture part of the product identity
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Dividing the work space, possibility of zoom effect on one of the window.
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Extra keyboard, larger windows. Large size and small footprint. Projection, new flexible Oled screen being developped.
Fold, Roll, Rotate
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In use the computer becomes a window over the world
Put aside references and forget we are using a computer. Freedom from material constraints.
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Being able to communiacte with the PC without material interface, or only using a finger captor.
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Being able to use it as a TV and only having a single remote control to control the computer.
Remote control to evolve into a tablet with tactile screen, being able to plug accessories: USB, camera, printer...
Dematerialize
Service - Helpline
User Interface
Easy PC, simplified interface. Refer to jobs rather than programs or sofware. Offer shortcuts for the main applications
A customised interface for everyone to feel at home, everyone creates its universe. We enter a room giving access to predefined functionalities, programs, storage...
Intuitive storage comparable to real world.
Phase 3: Product development
Eye Catching
Ergonomics
Use of WIFI to limit leads.
Simple colour coding: Red “Power”, Green “CD Opening”. Use of different textures to help button identification.
Rotating Mirror displays connection's names.
Handle to remove the computer cartridge. Easy to remove with one hand (the other hand holding the screen)
The Handle
A handle which tells the product story.
In line with the senoirs lifestyle storyline, easy to carry and transport to a secondary home. Possibilty to be hung on the wall.
Point of difference from competitor's existing products. Design simplicity, minimalist, effective
Maximization of air vents (30 x 4,5 mm)
Respect of EMI standards (electro-magnetic emissions)
Large vent area for silence and better performences.
Upgrade possible thanks to the cartridge concept.
The Constraints
Text and alert messages pass before your eyes in screensaver mode.
Window opened to the outside world, enrich your interest and hobbies.
Alerts, appointments reminder, post it...
Ergonomics
Optimise hand held while offering support and stabilty forwritting.
Back body in soft touch rubber for better comfort, sooth top to write on it.
The stylus is always visible even once inserted in locket. Dimensions designed to ease the writing on flat surfaces. The shape suggest how to use the product.
Product advantages
Optimise ergonomics whilst offering support and stabilty for writting.
Back body in soft touch rubber for better comfort, smooth top to write on it. The stylus is always visible even once inserted in locket. Dimensions designed to ease the writing on flat surfaces. The shape suggests how to use the product.
Trans-generation product
Material and colour code inspired from high-tech products. Glass, black lacquered metal, chrome, mat aluminium handle. Back body in black injected plastic, in part covered with soft touch rubber. To seduce informatic beginers, young and older age target groups, contemporary shape to answer the desire of staying/appearing young.
The Remote Control
Ideal dimensions between a block note and a remote control. Screen size close to A4 format.
Programs keys displayed by main usage order: close to the edge to ease accessibilty, shortcuts materialised and well separated to avoid mistakes. Induction charger with non slip base.
Product specifications
Colour and packaging
A see-through window displaying the remote control to reassure the buyer. Extra flap to catch attention whilst adding protection and offering more information.
Contrast, visibility, use of clear and understandable vocabulary. Simplify technical feature and accentuate the product ease of use and its various usages.
No performance range but colour variations.
Seduce beginers, blend in the habitat, stay young.
Communication
Final product
