About the course
Society is aging. Social structures are changing rapidly, and with them, changing worldviews and design approaches. Knowing the challenges, aspirations, and needs of seniors can contribute dramatically to their quality of life. The course "Design for the Elderly", which takes place together with the grandparents of the students, deals with the aging processes and the implications of these processes on research and practice in design fields. During the course, students develop alternative research methods and are exposed to the physical, emotional, social and cultural aspects of the aging process. Students experience the environment through the eyes of their grandparents and learn about their aspirations, needs and choices. The intergenerational collaboration that emerges during the course is a unique and exciting process whose affects resonate many years later.
Baruch Dayan
Grandma’s Medicine
My meetings with Grandma, under the guidance of Yifat, led me to a project with what Grandma loves most, plants. Grandma's specialization is in herbs and combinations between them that can create amazing remedies for various problems. Grandma taught me the traditional methods of making "Grandma Medicine" and I set out to explore other sources, which led me to a fascinating world of herbs and their properties. The concept was to create a designated facility for drying leaves to prepare various medicines, while maintaining traditional values during the creation and experience.
Tehila Tzuriel and Yuval Samuel
Tradition
As part of the "Design for the Elderly" course, we had the privilege of working with our grandmother, Grandma Leah. During the first few sessions and in our attempts to find a topic for work, we were exposed to fascinating stories from Grandma's past. Many of the stories dealt with her connection to previous generations, and in meeting us, the granddaughters, a connection was made between the stories and the generations. Some of the stories mentioned embroidery, the craft that a grandmother learned from her mother and grandmother. Grandma shared with us her love for the craft, and showed us many of her works, some still in a drawer. Grandma devotes many hours in which she teaches and learns the craft, and we were even honored with the ability to sit with her and join one of the embroidery sessions. A central motif in her works is the use of bible verses and religious relics. The moment the wine is poured from the goblet (as a symbol of abundance) expresses Grandma's reference to the small details that complete the picture.
Are you too interested in Inclusive Industrial Design?
Come study with us at HAC!
A world in flux, challenges and provides many fascinating opportunities for people, society, environment and living creatures. Empathy, sensitivity, paying attention to others and the will to investigate and research are at the heart of our activities in our department. We utilize a variety of skills to help and strive for change. Come study with us at HAC.
