Rethinking Media for an Aging Society: A Design Experiment
Experimental
This was a topic close to my heart—something I had wanted to explore for quite some time. As a self-initiated project, I designed both the device and its user interface, and tested it with friends and family. The feedback was generally positive and encouraged further development.
My Role
Driver of the project. Conducted initial research, design exploration, ideation and prototyping
Rethinking Media for an Aging Society: A Design Experiment
Experimental
This was a topic close to my heart—something I had wanted to explore for quite some time. As a self-initiated project, I designed both the device and its user interface, and tested it with friends and family. The feedback was generally positive and encouraged further development.
My Role
Driver of the project. Conducted initial research, design exploration, ideation and prototyping
Rethinking Media for an Aging Society: A Design Experiment
Experimental
This was a topic close to my heart—something I had wanted to explore for quite some time. As a self-initiated project, I designed both the device and its user interface, and tested it with friends and family. The feedback was generally positive and encouraged further development.
My Role
Driver of the project. Conducted initial research, design exploration, ideation and prototyping
How might we create media applications that support the needs, habits, and aspirations of older adults?
Closing the Digital Gap: Why Age-Inclusive Design Matters
As society ages, many older adults face challenges with digital devices due to physical limitations and tech anxiety. Overlooked by standard interfaces, they’re often left behind. Inclusive design can remove these barriers—unlocking better healthcare, independence, and social connection.
Closing the Digital Gap: Why Age-Inclusive Design Matters
As society ages, many older adults face challenges with digital devices due to physical limitations and tech anxiety. Overlooked by standard interfaces, they’re often left behind. Inclusive design can remove these barriers—unlocking better healthcare, independence, and social connection.
Closing the Digital Gap: Why Age-Inclusive Design Matters
As society ages, many older adults face challenges with digital devices due to physical limitations and tech anxiety. Overlooked by standard interfaces, they’re often left behind. Inclusive design can remove these barriers—unlocking better healthcare, independence, and social connection.
28%
Only 28% of people aged 65–74 in the EU have at least basic digital skills – compared to around 70% of 16–24-year-olds.
28%
Only 28% of people aged 65–74 in the EU have at least basic digital skills – compared to around 70% of 16–24-year-olds.
28%
Only 28% of people aged 65–74 in the EU have at least basic digital skills – compared to around 70% of 16–24-year-olds.
In high-income countries, studies estimate that about 25.9% of older adults experience loneliness
Why older adults struggle to adopt digital media
Many older adults face a mix of physical, cognitive, and psychological barriers when it comes to using digital technology. Poor eyesight, reduced motor skills, and a lack of prior exposure to digital tools can make devices feel unintuitive or overwhelming. Additionally, low confidence, fear of making mistakes, and the belief that “technology is for younger people” can discourage exploration. Limited access to training or financial resources further widens the digital gap. As a result, many elderly users miss out on the benefits of staying connected, informed, and independent in a digital world.
Why older adults struggle to adopt digital media
Many older adults face a mix of physical, cognitive, and psychological barriers when it comes to using digital technology. Poor eyesight, reduced motor skills, and a lack of prior exposure to digital tools can make devices feel unintuitive or overwhelming. Additionally, low confidence, fear of making mistakes, and the belief that “technology is for younger people” can discourage exploration. Limited access to training or financial resources further widens the digital gap. As a result, many elderly users miss out on the benefits of staying connected, informed, and independent in a digital world.
Why older adults struggle to adopt digital media
Many older adults face a mix of physical, cognitive, and psychological barriers when it comes to using digital technology. Poor eyesight, reduced motor skills, and a lack of prior exposure to digital tools can make devices feel unintuitive or overwhelming. Additionally, low confidence, fear of making mistakes, and the belief that “technology is for younger people” can discourage exploration. Limited access to training or financial resources further widens the digital gap. As a result, many elderly users miss out on the benefits of staying connected, informed, and independent in a digital world.
Initial ideation on inclusive hardware.
A device designed to be intuitive and learnable
The device was envisioned to be intuitive and non-intimidating, with a minimalist design focused on ease of use. Its exterior features a simple row of tactile buttons for easy recall, along with an emergency button on the back for added safety. Multiple attachment options allow it to be either mounted on a wall or placed on a table stand, offering flexibility to suit different living environments.
A device designed to be intuitive and learnable
The device was envisioned to be intuitive and non-intimidating, with a minimalist design focused on ease of use. Its exterior features a simple row of tactile buttons for easy recall, along with an emergency button on the back for added safety. Multiple attachment options allow it to be either mounted on a wall or placed on a table stand, offering flexibility to suit different living environments.
A device designed to be intuitive and learnable
The device was envisioned to be intuitive and non-intimidating, with a minimalist design focused on ease of use. Its exterior features a simple row of tactile buttons for easy recall, along with an emergency button on the back for added safety. Multiple attachment options allow it to be either mounted on a wall or placed on a table stand, offering flexibility to suit different living environments.
The bridge device allows to be mounted in different ways, eg. on the wall or table.
The bridge device allows to be mounted in different ways, eg. on the wall or table.
The bridge device allows to be mounted in different ways, eg. on the wall or table.
A set of large, tactile buttons can be easily located without glasses and recognized by touch, reinforcing their function through physical cues.
Title text
A set of large, tactile buttons can be easily located without glasses and recognized by touch, reinforcing their function through physical cues.
Title text
A set of large, tactile buttons can be easily located without glasses and recognized by touch, reinforcing their function through physical cues.
Title text
Simplicity and Structure - Key to a Learnable UI
Clear structure and simple navigation guided the UI design. I moved beyond standard libraries to create a minimal set of intuitive, real-world-inspired patterns—making the interface more learnable and approachable.
Simplicity and Structure - Key to a Learnable UI
Clear structure and simple navigation guided the UI design. I moved beyond standard libraries to create a minimal set of intuitive, real-world-inspired patterns—making the interface more learnable and approachable.
Simplicity and Structure - Key to a Learnable UI
Clear structure and simple navigation guided the UI design. I moved beyond standard libraries to create a minimal set of intuitive, real-world-inspired patterns—making the interface more learnable and approachable.
Screens were designed to be clearly structured and easy to learn, without appearing bulky. The layout balances clarity with visual lightness, maintaining a friendly, approachable feel.
Screens were designed to be clearly structured and easy to learn, without appearing bulky. The layout balances clarity with visual lightness, maintaining a friendly, approachable feel.
Screens were designed to be clearly structured and easy to learn, without appearing bulky. The layout balances clarity with visual lightness, maintaining a friendly, approachable feel.
Tactile details
The UI is sprinkled with tactile details inspired by the real world to create a sense of familiarity. These elements help bridge the gap for older users, making it easier for them to connect with and adopt the digital experience based on what they already know.
Tactile details
The UI is sprinkled with tactile details inspired by the real world to create a sense of familiarity. These elements help bridge the gap for older users, making it easier for them to connect with and adopt the digital experience based on what they already know.
Tactile details
The UI is sprinkled with tactile details inspired by the real world to create a sense of familiarity. These elements help bridge the gap for older users, making it easier for them to connect with and adopt the digital experience based on what they already know.
All pages of the UI are designed as overlays, allowing users to go back to home from any place of the system.
Prototype of the UI, showing how the overlay structure behaves. Users are able to go back to home from any place of the UI, visual cues support learnability of the system.
Personal learnings
This was a topic close to my heart that I had wanted to explore for quite some time. Having the freedom to drive the project independently taught me a lot—not just about project management, but also about maintaining focus and avoiding the trap of endless ideation.
Personal learnings
This was a topic close to my heart that I had wanted to explore for quite some time. Having the freedom to drive the project independently taught me a lot—not just about project management, but also about maintaining focus and avoiding the trap of endless ideation.
Personal learnings
This was a topic close to my heart that I had wanted to explore for quite some time. Having the freedom to drive the project independently taught me a lot—not just about project management, but also about maintaining focus and avoiding the trap of endless ideation.
Disclaimer
This is a project I completed a few years ago, before fully immersing into UX design. While some of the UI may feel a bit dated from a 2025 perspective, it was a no-limits project—and I'm still proud of how I approached and executed it at the time on the side, while still working industrial design. Don't dare to judge. 😉
Disclaimer
This is a project I completed a few years ago, before fully immersing into UX design. While some of the UI may feel a bit dated from a 2025 perspective, it was a no-limits project—and I'm still proud of how I approached and executed it at the time on the side, while still working industrial design. Don't dare to judge. 😉
Disclaimer
This is a project I completed a few years ago, before fully immersing into UX design. While some of the UI may feel a bit dated from a 2025 perspective, it was a no-limits project—and I'm still proud of how I approached and executed it at the time on the side, while still working industrial design. Don't dare to judge. 😉
Copyright © 2025 by Robin Biechl. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2025 by Robin Biechl. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2025 by Robin Biechl. All rights reserved.