Design for America






Collaborators: Zoe Hong, Ingrid Binkis, Trisha Chidambaram





Collaborative design research project exploring how to strengthen, sustain, and create intergenerational relationships between older adults and college students.








Problem Space




Partner with UC College Companions (UCCC), a student organization dedicated to providing social support and fostering relationships amongst college students and older adults in the Cincinnati area, to create new ways to form intergenerational connections within our community.





Research




Primary research involved interviewing UCCC leadership and members to gain valuable insights and perspectives on building and maintaining intergenerational relationships. Secondary research reflected upon existing solutions and the current nature of the problem space. 





Guiding research inquiries for secondary and primary research.





Secondary Research



Secondary research prioritizes moving away from assumptions by reflecting upon existing solutions and the current nature of the problem space. This research and analysis informs future design decisions.





Obstacles and challenges presented throughout problem space.



Conclusions and connections created through secondary research.





Primary Research



Interviewed UCCC leadership and members, analyzing setbacks within the problem space, giving insight into existing solutions and informing our future reframing of the issue. Introduces key questions that could influence design strategies.



   

Guiding perspectives and questions from interviews.





Reframe



Establish “how might we” questions that focus on human-centered design, narrowing and framing ideation within the problem space. Solution goals then respond directly to user needs and insights generated from research. Final question moves into prototyping and solution building.









Initial Concept



Book guide for UC College Companions that enhances interactive activities and encourages connections between students and older adults with similar interests. Could be either physical or digital and would act as an event planner.




Setbacks and challenges of implementing initial concept.





Revised Prototype



Create an interactive, organizational activity home that explores intergenerational activities in a centralized, collaborative location. Solution is adaptable, easily implemented, and prioritizes future engagement.




Table View



Community Garden


Gallery View



Information

 



Next Steps



Use organizational solution to develop and explore intergenerational activities in a centralized location. Continue to add opportunities and activities to Notion. Add supply kits and links to resources for each individualized activity. Expand to an open discussion board or collaborative space for UC students to suggest ideas.