How to Design for Human Aging

Imagine you're 75. Your body and your perception changed, and that's something that will affect us all. So... you would expect that our environments consider the needs of people in later life. In reality, most digital services, at least, are primarily designed by and for younger people.

But how can we design for human aging?

A good start is an inclusive mindset and empathetic decisions. However, to transform intentions into actions, we need practical methods.

Earlier this year, I carried out qualitative research to discover how aging influences the experience of digital products. This research forms the basis for the following 5 methods for a truly inclusive design process - offside buzzwords:

• in-person testing
• behavioral archetypes based on a behavioral design approach
• accessibility guidelines tailored to age-related limitations
• product interaction map to align product demands with user capabilities
• and a critical attitude toward interface conventions

To create inclusive digital products, we designers need to consider age-related changes throughout the design process. And we need practical methods to avoid ageism and to design without bias.

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