CHAN, Queenie Doris
social design
[real] live photo
An Interactive Photo Display
Elderly Care
2024
This project aims to improve communication and relationships with the elderly, addressing the challenges of the ageing population. While AI has been a focus, it often doesn’t suit older people due to its complexity and physical limitations. This widens the gap between tech-savvy younger generations and those struggling with new technologies.
Jade French once said, “Making ageing something we all want to experience and invest in.” I share this vision for the future. Despite challenges, there’s hope. As designers, we should embrace the complexity of ageing rather than just focusing on the positives. There are many reasons why the younger generation is unwilling to speak to older adults, but we can’t deny that photos have the magic to break the iceberg. That’s why I developed [Real] Live Photo, a flexible display that turns into a decoration or photobook. Through NFC technology, elderly individuals can tap their phones on designated spots to bring memories to life. With their unique ability to connect with technology and eagerness to record everyday life, the younger generation plays a pivotal role in this project. They need to talk to elderly about the story of the photos to customise the video or audio online. From a medical perspective, the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease rises sharply with age; interacting with photos can provide significant cognitive stimulation for individuals with Alzheimer’s, offering hope for maintaining cognitive function and delaying further decline.
[Real] Live Photo also includes a reminder feature. People can set frequencies; if an elderly person taps a photo a certain number of times, the system prompts the member to send a message or call to the elderly.