Universal Design is a design concept that meets the needs of
people with varied abilities. It not only addresses the current difficulties
people face, but also the possible physical challenges later in life.
“The time has come for kitchens and homes that fit the
real needs of real people—needs that will change over time,” observed
Marc Hottenroth, Industrial Design Leader for GE Consumer & Industrial.
“Our Industrial Design team will continue to take a leadership role in
addressing these issues,” he said.
The Appliance Division of GE Consumer & Industrial teamed
up with members of the Carnegie Mellon School of Design and over the past three
years have compiled data and statistics and cite changing demographics in America
are adding urgency to addressing these design issues.
* The senior population is growing at three times the rate
of the general population.
* Currently, thirteen percent of Americans are over the age of 65; a figure
that will grow to almost twenty percent by 2030.
* By the year 2014, all baby-boomers will have celebrated their 50th birthdays,
received their AARP® cards.
* More than half of Americans expect to have elder care responsibilities within
the next 10 years or simply want to be able to entertain and host family members
and friends, of all abilities, in their homes.
The Industrial Design Group of GE Consumer & Industrial
teamed first with the University of Illinois and then, more extensively, with
Carnegie Mellon School of Design. During these meetings a variety of activities
took place.
During Phase I field research was conducted with elder and late
baby-boomer communities including personal interviews and observations of consumers
in their homes. Focus groups were conducted with this population and comments
and observations were reviewed. In addition, a review of literature and compiling
of demographic information and statistics were important steps in the study.
The University researchers and GE Industrial Design participants
also gathered knowledge from empathy sessions. Participants taped their knuckles
and wore gloves to simulate arthritis, put cotton balls in their ears to simulate
a decrease in hearing, and wore special glasses that simulated vision impairment
such as macular degeneration. This role-playing simulation allowed them to experience
firsthand what an aging consumer or special needs consumer might experience
when operating an appliance. The group also consulted with health care professionals
and gerontologists.
“Phase II consisted of direct application of this knowledge
to generate appliance design concepts that would meet many of these needs,”
noted Hottenroth. “Two dimensional and three dimensional sketching of
appliance prototypes were made and sketch models and form studies created,”
he continued.
“Style will be a critical element of these appliances
so that nothing is sacrificed when designing these products to be more user-friendly
for consumers of all ages and abilities,” explained Hottenroth.
Phase III will continue with the testing of these prototypes
and may include surveys, contextual observation and consumer acceptance testing.
“Like the auto industry’s concept cars, there are many design phases,
testing and manufacturing challenges to face before a new product is brought
to market,” explained Hottenroth.
“GE may use the research to integrate into new product
designs for the near future, but there are already many product offerings that
accommodate a variety of needs when used with room design techniques that employ
the concepts of Universal Design,” according to Hottenroth.
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