ABSTRACT
Coupling wearable objects with technology can be demanding when designing for older adults’ health as there may be a tendency to trade aesthetic appeal for functionality (Newell et al. 2011). Dissatisfaction and abandonment of wearables can relate to weight and size as well as perceived social acceptability and whether it will attract unwanted attention (Hocking 1999). Indeed, as Dykes et al. state, “(wearables) need to avoid stigmas through medical styling and instead enforce a positive and familiar identity through the use of associated materials” (Dykes et al. 2013). Customisation, therefore, can be key to ensuring wearability, not only in terms of taste and style but also with regards to fit and comfort. Through a set of ongoing craft and co-design workshops, the researchers seek to achieve empathy with older users and their needs, and define design requirements for original wearables that are desirable, useful and usable.
